455th AEW Change of Command announced Published May 23, 2017 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs RELEASE NUMBER: 23052017-01 BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Brig. Gen. Craig R. Baker will assume command of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing during a ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, June 3, at 8:00 a.m. The current commander, Brig. Gen. James R. Sears Jr., will relinquish command. As the commander of the 455th AEW, Baker will lead the premier counterterrorism air mission in Afghanistan. The wing’s operations enable the NATO Resolute Support mission to successfully train, advise, and assist the military and security forces of Afghanistan, while restricting and deterring the terrorist threat in the region. Baker will be responsible for 5 groups, operating multiple aircraft such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon, C-130J Super Hercules, MQ-9 Reaper, HH-60G Pave Hawk and EC-130 Compass Call. The scope of his command includes three airfields at Bagram, Kandahar and Jalalabad. He joins the wing from the Checkmate Division, Headquarters Air Staff, where he is responsible for providing air, space, and cyberspace expertise to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and Numbered Air Force and Component commanders. Sears will continue his Air Force career as the Director of Intelligence, Operations, and Nuclear Integration, Headquarters Air Education and Training Command, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. Media wishing to attend the ceremony should contact 455th AEW Public Affairs at 455AEW.PublicAffairs@bgab.afcent.af.mil.