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386th EOG changes command

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jeremy Bowcock
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Command of the 386th Expeditionary Operations Group passed from Col. Douglas DeLaMater to Col. Joe Santos during a change of command ceremony Sunday at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.

Santos is deployed from the U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois where he was the deputy chief, west division and deployment and distribution operations center chief.

"We are witness to a transition in leadership from one great leader to another," said Col. John Klein, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing commander. "Today, we commend and we celebrate the accomplishments of the 386th Expeditionary Operations Group under the passionate and progressive leadership of Col. Doug DeLaMater. We transfer those achievements to Col. Joe Santos as a foundation upon which to build a firm footing to lead the operations group into the future."

Klein thanked DeLaMater for his accomplishment over his one year tenure.

"Thank you for being such an incredible bastion of passionate leadership and vision, not only for the operations group and the 386th AEW, but for Air Force Central Command and U.S. Central Command as well. You've helped them all grasp the strategic significance of our presence here."

During the ceremony, DeLaMater 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 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.

"The credit for the 386th EOG goes to the Airmen I had the privilege of leading this past year, not me," DeLaMater said. "The bronze star we just heard reflects the dedication, sacrifice, and commitment displayed by the total force Airmen that constituted the 386th EOG this past year. I will wear that medal with honor."

Klein also spoke of why Santos was chosen to take command of the 386th EOG.

"With Joe Santos you'll find that the glass is half full. Optimism is a force multiplier, so I look forward to where Joe will cheerfully lead the operations group," Klein stated.

Santos is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours in the KC-135R/T Stratotanker and C-130H/E Hercules. He has flown over 900 hours of combat and combat support missions and has served as a KC-135R squadron commander, flight commander and chief of standardization and evaluation, and C-130H/E assistant operations officer and chief pilot. He has deployed as an operations officer and assistant operations officer in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.