By Capt. Stephen Hudson, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs / Published July 11, 2019
U.S. Air Force Col. Rodney Simpson receives applause after assuming command of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, July 11, 2019. Simpson was previously assigned to Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel Martinez)
U.S. Air Force Col. Rodney Simpson assumes command of the 386th Air Expedtionary Wing from officiator, Maj. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, 9th Air Expedtionary Task Force-Levant commander, during a change of command ceremony at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, July 11, 2019. Simpson took over command of the 386th AEW from Col. Patrick Schlichenmeyer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel Martinez)
U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, 9th Air Expeditionary Task Force-Levant commander, provides remarks during the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing change of command ceremony at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, July 11, 2019. U.S. Air Force Col. Rodney Simpson took command of the 386th AEW from Col. Patrick Schlichenmeyer. Grynkewich officiated the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel Martinez)
U.S. Air Force Col. Rodney Simpson addresses the audience after assuming command of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, July 11, 2019. Simpson was previously assigned to Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel Martinez)
U.S. Airmen, base leadership, personnel, allies and community partners attend the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing change of command ceremony at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, July 11, 2019. U.S. Air Force Col. Rodney Simpson assumed command of the 386th AEW. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel Martinez)
The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing held a change of command ceremony July 11, 2019 as Col. Patrick Schlichenmeyer relinquished command of the wing to Col. Rodney Simpson.
Simpson accepted the 386th guidon from Maj. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, the 9th Air Expeditionary Task Force -- Levant commander; signifying the baton of leadership had been passed from one commander to the next.
“Your leadership will be critical,” Grynkewich said to Simpson. “I look forward to working with you.”
Simpson, a Command Navigator with more than 3,000 hours, is coming to Ali Al Salem Air Base from Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., where he served as Chief, Contingency Operations Division overseeing the global airlift, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation and contingency operations for 12 wings and one direct reporting unit.
“I could not be prouder to stand here today,” Simpson said. “Our mission is very clear. I have no doubt we will conquer every challenge.”
Simpson entered the Air Force in 1993 through Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Kentucky. He has served in a variety of positions at the squadron, wing and staff levels. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School where he was “Top Flyer,” the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Air Force Air War College. He has more than 500 combat and combat support hours in direct support of Operations Southern Watch, Joint Endeavor, Joint Guard, Joint Forge, Allied Force and Enduring Freedom.
Schlichenmeyer wrapped up a one-year tour as the 386th AEW commander moving on to U.S. Northern Command.
“There isn’t a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine that isn’t touched by this wing. ’Schlich,’ your leadership made this wing successful,” Grynkewich said.
Grynkewich presented Schlichenmeyer with the Legion of Merit for his leadership over the past year.
The 386th AEW is the primary tactical airlift hub for resupply missions and provides combat service to the Air Forces Central Command Area of Responsibility, and is the busiest aerial port in the AOR in direct support of Operations Inherent Resolve, Freedom Sentinel and Spartan Shield.