General Lyon takes reigns as newest 379th AEW commander

Published June 8, 2007
By Capt. Teresa Sullivan
379th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Brig. Gen. Charles Lyon assumed command of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in a ceremony June 5.

Ninth Air Force and U.S. Central Command Air Forces commander Lt. Gen. Gary North ceremonially passed the guidon from outgoing commander Brig. Gen. Charles Shugg to General Lyon as dictated in upholding military tradition.

The wing is responsible for providing combat air power with more than 100 combat aircraft and 8,000 war fighters for U.S. Central Command operations to include Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa.

"It is no small task to command our largest, most diverse expeditionary wing in the Air Force," said General North said to the joint and coalition servicemembers assembled to witness the ceremony. "This wing has met that challenge and has excelled under General Shugg's rock-solid leadership."

While in command, General Shugg led more than 24,000 Airmen, four AEF rotations and the execution of more than 37,000 combat sorties.

Over the past year the wing kept their focus on the mission, employing over 300 tons of weapons, airlifting 250,000 passengers, moving 81,000 tons of cargo and transporting blood to 42 medical facilities in the theater. The 379th also added the B-1 to its lineup and made strides to increase the effectiveness of the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Small diameter bombs were integrated into the theater of operations and aircraft Centralized Intermediate Repair Facilities were established, saving the Air Force $8 million and providing the war fighter with aircraft rapid repair and replacement capability. To provide Airmen with "a home away from home," 14 new mission facilities were built, services events thrived, and the theater's largest lodging operation in the area of responsibility was further developed, according to General Shugg.

Prior to passing the torch to General Lyon, General Shugg said a few words of farewell to the men and women he commanded the past year.

"What you do here is not only critical to America's national defense, it's critical to the entire world," said General Shugg. The general was tapped to take command of the Joint Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Center of Excellence at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. "You are making history by bringing freedom to those who so desperately deserve it. Everyday, you energized me with your enthusiasm for the mission and focused dedication."

General North said the wing will be in good hands under General Lyon's leadership.

"General Lyon has all the requisite training and preparation - the 'right stuff' to command the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing."

General Lyon comes to the wing from the Pentagon where he served as the Deputy Director of Programs, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Strategic Plans and Programs.

Upon assumption of command General Lyon took time to thank General North, his predecessor, General Shugg and the host nation for their support. He then spoke directly to the men and women of the wing letting them know he's proud to be their commander, that they're making a difference in the Global War on Terrorism.

"You are providing outstanding support to our brothers in arms who are waging war on the ground every day," he said. "You're maintaining global reach through lift and sustainment, global vigilance through persistent ISR, and global power over long-range with massive payload allowing our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and battlefield Airmen to employ as part of the most awesome joint team ever seen."

The general is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours, including 500 combat hours in Iraq and Serbia in the F-16 Fighting Falcon and RQ-1 Predator. He entered the Air Force in 1981 upon graduation from the Citadel and has served in various operational and staff assignments to include F-16 weapons instructor pilot, special assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, fighter squadron and operations group commander.