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380AEW Article

Brig. Gen. Orcutt continues 380 AEW legacy

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jeff Andrejcik
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing
Southwest Asia --  U.S. Airmen alongside other coalition personnel gathered inside a hangar on the flightline for the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing change of command at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, June 30.

Brig. Gen. John Quintas relinquished command of the wing to Air Force Brig. Gen. Daniel Orcutt in a ceremony presided over by Maj. Gen. Scott Zobrist, Air Force Central Command deputy commander.

Before Quintas handed over the 380 AEW guidon, he spoke about the dedication of the wing’s men and women and how their contributions led to the success of the mission.

“The Airmen of the 380th knew immediately what this fight meant”, said Quintas. “They had a responsibility to take this fight on; it was their fight to win and they demonstrated everyday they were both prepared and committed to see it to the end. It inspired [me] every day to see [them] perform. What an amazing group of Airmen I’ve had the privilege and honor to lead.”

Quintas also thanked the host-nation and coalition partners for what they brought to the fight over the last year and ended his address by welcoming Orcutt to the team.

Orcutt comes to the 380th AEW from Hurlburt Field, where he was the Commander, 505th Command and Control Wing.

His command experience also includes serving as commander of the 391st Fighter Squadron, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho and the 48th Operations Group at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, UK.

General Orcutt is a command pilot who cross-commissioned in 1991 as a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He has served as an instructor pilot in both KC-10s and F-15Es and has over 4,000 hours in the F-15E, KC-10, T-37, T-38, and HH-60 including 702 combat or combat support hours.

After taking command, Orcutt extended his thanks to Quintas, the men and women of 380 AEW, coalition and joint forces for their steadfast devotion to the ongoing mission.

"I’ll tell you it’s nearly impossible to describe how lucky I am to lead such a large, talented diverse wing in combat, shoulder-to-shoulder with both coalition and joint partners,” said Orcutt. “I’m very humbled by [this] opportunity. Thank you for your dedication to the mission and delivering decisive combat air power across [our] entire area of responsibility. Your daily efforts are impressive, inspiring and I can hardly wait to join your ranks.”

Quintas will depart the AOR after fulfilling his role as the 380 AEW commander and assume duties as the Deputy Director, Politico-Military Affairs (Asia), Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, DC.