370th AEAG Welcomes New Commander

Col. Stephen Hodge, the Commander of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, Chief Todd, Command Chief of the 370th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group, and Col. Eduardo Defendini, Commander of the 370th AEAG, stand at attention during the assumption of command ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq, July 5. Defendini was previously assigned as the chief of NATO Alliance Ground Forces Operations in Belgium. (Courtesy photo)

370th AEAG Welcomes New Commander

Col. Stephen Hodge, commander of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, passes the 370th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group guide-on to Col. Eduardo Defendini during a ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq, July 5. Defendini is a senior navigator with over 2,100 flight hours and experience with over five different aircraft. (Courtesy photo)

370th AEAG Welcomes New Commander

Published July 8, 2018
By SrA Michala Weller
386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- U.S. Air Force Col. Eduardo Defendini assumed command of the 370th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group during a ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq, July 5.

U.S. Air Force Col. Stephen L. Hodge, the Commander of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, presided over the assumption of command ceremony. Col. James C. Howard, the former 370th AEAG commander, relinquished command in May 2018 before moving on to his assignment with Air Education Training Command.

When he addressed his Airmen, Defendini stressed the bond between United States Air Force and our Iraqi counterparts and promised his commitment to continue to improve the train, advise and assist mission of the 370th.

“I am honored and excited to be your commander and look forward to continuing to build upon the legacy of Col. Howard and those of you who have been here for some time.” Defendini said. “Together with our Iraqi friends, you are helping shape a strong Iraqi security force that is able to not only protect its citizens but also project airpower against its enemies.”

The role of the 370th AEAG is to enable the defeat of ISIS and to establish security across Iraq through advise and assist operations to the Iraqi aviation enterprise and in support of coalition and partner forces.

Defendini is a senior navigator with more than 2,100 operational flying hours in the RC-135V/W, EC-130H, MQ-1B and MQ-9. He was the chief of NATO Alliance Ground Forces Surveillance Operations in Chièvres, Belgium from July 2017 before his current assignment. As an operational intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aviator, he flew numerous combat missions in direct support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and many others.

“His extensive experience in the diverse fields of ISR, as well as remotely piloted aircraft, are key to future challenges the unit will face," said Hodge. "His willingness to come and lead these essential advisors makes him the right leader at the right time for the group.”