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386th Expeditionary Maintenance Group changes command

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Holli Nelson
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Command of the 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Group passed from Col. Michael O'Connor to Col. Jason Childs during a change of command ceremony Sunday at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.

Childs deployed here from United States Air Forces Command, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, where he served as the deputy director of logistics.

"Today we underscore, we commend and we celebrate the accomplishments of the 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Group under the steadfast and wise leadership of Michael O'Connor," said Col. John Klein, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing commander. "We transfer those achievements to Col. Jason Childs as a foundation upon which to build a firm footing to lead the maintenance group into the future."

Klein thanked O'Connor for his endeavors over his one year tenure at The Rock.

"I've been blessed to have him as a part of our command team," said Klein. "Col. O'Connor has a heart for taking care of Airmen and ensuring that their welfare is well balanced against mission needs as evidenced by his engaged leadership."

Under O'Connor's direction, the 386th EMXG prepared, launched and recovered over 1,600 C-130J's achieving a 92 percent mission effective rate, a three-year high for the 386th. Additionally, he melded more than 900 active duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and contract personnel from nearly 40 different bases across six rotations and facilitated 26 iron swaps during his term.

"Thank you for your hard work and vision," Klein said. "You've established an 'owners' mindset within the 386th EMXG and I thank you for leading these Airmen so incredibly well. I'm very appreciate and proud of all that you've accomplished for the 386th AEW."

During the ceremony, O'Connor was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions and leadership. 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, distinguishes themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight or in connection with military operations against an armed enemy.

O'Connor also spoke words of wisdom to Childs before he took command of the 386th EMXG.

"I wish you the best of luck," O'Connor said. "I'm here to tell you that you're going to get some of the best Airmen that our nation has to offer. Give them your wisdom, your direction and most of all, give them your energy."

The 386th EMXG is responsible for all aircraft maintenance supporting the C-130 aircraft assigned to the 386th AEW. All aspects of aircraft generation, recovery, scheduled and unscheduled inspections/repairs, maintenance scheduling, transient alert, analysis, and a large Aerospace Ground Equipment account fall within this group.

O'Connor will now go on to command the 58th Maintenance Group at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.