455th Expeditionary Operations Group receives new commander

(From left to right) Brig. Gen. Bill Hyatt, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, Col. Eric Nelson, 455th Expeditionary Operations Group commander, and Col. John Quintas, 455th EOG outgoing commander, stand at attention during the operations group change-of-command ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan June 11. Col. Quintas relinquished command of the group to Col. Nelson, the new commander. (photo by Staff Sgt. Craig Seals)

455th Expeditionary Operations Group receives new commander

Brig. Gen. Bill Hyatt (left), 455th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, presents Col. John Quintas, 455th Expeditionary Operations Group outgoing commander, with the Afghanistan Campaign Medal at the operations group change-of-command ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan June 11. (photo by Staff Sgt. Craig Seals)

455th Expeditionary Operations Group receives new commander

Published June 11, 2007
By Staff Sgt. Craig Seals
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Col. Eric Nelson took charge of the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group during a change-of-command ceremony in the A-10 fuels hangar at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan June 11.

Brig. Gen. Bill Hyatt, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, presided over the ceremony in which Col. Nelson took the reins of the 455th EOG from Col. John Quintas.

General Hyatt wished Col. Quintas "all the best at Air War College" and hoped to see the colonel as a wing commander one day.

After the general's comments, Col. Quintas said a few words to the attendees. During his remarks, the colonel reflected on his time at Bagram and the multitude of missions he commanded during his tenure here.

"I've learned a whole new vocabulary," said Col. Quintas. "When I first got here, I saw that everyone here was just like me; they just came to get it done."

Col. Quintas focused on three top operations group priorities: saving coalition lives, protecting innocents and killing the enemy.

"Our cause is righteous and just," said Col. Quintas. "We do it better, faster and with standards of humanity."

After the colonel's speech, it was time for the guidon to be ceremoniously passed from Col. Quintas to Gen. Hyatt signifying the relinquishment of command, then from Gen. Hyatt to Col. Nelson signifying the acceptance of the new command.

Following the passing of the guidon and the announcement of the new expeditionary operations group commander, Col. Nelson had a few words regarding his plan ahead.

"My intent is to work hard, uphold the standards of the expeditionary operations group, get the mission done and take care of our people," said Col. Nelson.

A time-honored military tradition, the change of command dates back to the 18th century and Frederick the Great of Prussia. The ceremony affords the fighting force the opportunity to witness their new leader assume the position of authority.