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380AEW Article

New leader commands 380AEW

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Eric Peterson
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Airmen of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing formed up in the Phantom Center auditorium to participate in the change of command ceremony held at the wing's undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, June 18.

Air Force Brig. Gen. John Quintas assumed command of the wing from Brig. Gen. Kevin Schneider in a ceremony presided over by the Deputy Commander, U.S. Air Forces Central Command and Deputy, Combined Forces Air Component Commander, U.S. Central Command, Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Lofgren.

General Lofgren touched on the rich and illustrious history of the 380th AEW in his remarks to the assembled service members and guests.

"This is a very special day for the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing as today marks the 46th change of command since the wing was established back in October 1942," said General Lofgren. "General Schneider, it's a celebration of a job well done and, for Q (General Quintas), the excitement of a new command."

General Quintas takes command of the 380th AEW after serving as senior defense official at the American Embassy and defense attaché in the United Kingdom.

He's held numerous command positions to include commanding the 48th Fighter Wing and 48th Operations Group at RAF Lakenheath, England, and the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group at Bagram Airbase, Afghanistan.

His staff positions included serving as team chief at the Joint Warfare Analysis Center and as military aid to the president of the United States.

General Quintas is a master navigator, logging more than 2,700 flying hours in fighter aircraft and helicopters including the F-15E Strike Eagle, F-15D Eagle, HH-60 Pave Hawk, F-111A/E Aardvark and the AT-38B Talon.

"To the men and the women of the 380th, we serve in the greatest Air Force in the world," said General Quintas. "It's due to your ingenuity, your discipline and your unparalleled skill. The 380th provides vital support to coalition soldiers, marines and seamen, on the ground and at sea every day. I'm now honored to join and to lead this team and I know our nation will continue to demand the same level of excellence countering even more complex and dangerous threats. Thank you for your continued service and sacrifice."

Having completed his assignment with the 380th AEW, General Schneider will now serve as the U.S. Air Forces Central Command assistant deputy commander at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.