SOUTHWEST ASIA—Col. John Gonzales assumed command of the 407th Air Expeditionary Group from Col. David Lyons June 17, 2017, in Southwest Asia.
More than 200 service members gathered as Brig. Gen. Kyle Robinson, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander, presided over the 407th AEG change of command ceremony to welcome Gonzales into his new position.
“I’m honored to accept this position from Brig. Gen. W. Robinson and Col. Lyons,” Gonzales said. “The 407th has grown with your many successes but there’s always work to be done, so let’s get it done Warbirds.”
Prior to inheriting the 407th AEG, Gonzales was the deputy chief of the Middle East Directorate Joint Staff J5 Iran, Iraq and Syria Division. So far in his career, Gonzales has accounted for more than 2,200 flight hours, which include 179 combat hours, in the A-10 Thunderbolt, F-117 Nighthawk and T-38 Talon.
Col. David Lyons relinquished command to Gonzales after a yearlong assignment in the U.S. Air Force Central Command area of responsibility, as the 332nd Operations Group commander and 407th AEG commander.
“Warbirds, your accomplishments here will maintain an enduring presence in the region,” Lyons said. “You all have done the one thing I asked, and that was to leave knowing you made this place better and yourself better—it’s all about the hooks.”