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386th Expeditionary Mission Support Group changes command

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jeremy Bowcock
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Command of the 386th Expeditionary Mission Support Group passed from Col. David Sandford to Col. James Downs during a change of command ceremony on Wednesday at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.

Col. James Downs is deployed from the Pentagon where he served as the deputy chair, installation support panel, office of the Air Force director of civil engineers.

Col. John Klein, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing commander and presiding official for the change of command, spoke highly of Sanford's accomplishments during his one year tenure.

"Thank you for your hard work, dedication to duty, and for leaving the 386th EMSG and the 386th AEW better than you found it," said Klein. "You have commanded exceptionally well and you have my utmost admiration and respect."

Sanford was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions and leadership before relinquishing his command. The medal is awarded to a person in any branch of the military service who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States has distinguished himself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy.

Klein also spoke of why Downs was chosen to take command of the 386th EMSG.

"James is very familiar with the region having served as the 387th Expeditionary Support Squadron commander," Klein stated. "This experience makes him uniquely qualified to lead the 386th EMSG to the next level."

Downs has had a distinguished career in the Air Force since commissioning in 1993. He is a career civil engineer and has held several base, major command, and air staff level positions, including project engineer, element chief, flight commander, branch chief and squadron commander.

"Thank you for this amazing opportunity to come here and to command such an amazing group," Downs stated after assuming command.

Sanford will be moving to MacDill Air Force Base, Florida to work for the joint logistics operating center, United States Central Command.