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455th AEW welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cierra Presentado
  • 455th AEW/PA
Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan --  Brig. Gen. Dave Julazadeh took command of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing during a change of command ceremony here July 1, 2015.

Julazadeh assumed command from Brig. Gen. Mark Kelly in a ceremony officiated by Maj. Gen. Scott West, 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Afghanistan commander.

“Today I have the privilege of recognizing two outstanding general officers,” said West. “I’m certain the accomplishments of the Airmen of the 455th are a project of the outstanding leadership from General Kelly. I welcome General Julazadeh as he takes command at a significant time in history; our history and the history of our Afghan partners.”

Julazadeh is an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot who has logged more than 2,300 hours, including over 330 hours of combat time during Operations Provide Comfort, Deny Flight, Northern Watch and Allied Force. He has served in numbered Air Force, USAF Major Command, Headquarters Air Force, Headquarters North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Office of the Secretary of Defense staff positions.

“I’m proud, honored and humbled to become the commander of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing. Our Vulture Airmen do amazing things every day; your sense of duty, loyalty and commitment impresses me,” Julazadeh said. “We’re deployed together as one team at the tip of the spear generating, supporting and delivering combat air power every day. I look forward to getting to know and work with every single one of you.”

Kelly has been selected for promotion to major general and his next assignment will be as the commander of the 9th Air Force under Air Combat Command at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.

Julazadeh will command the 455th Air Expeditionary for a year and will carry on the task of leading Airmen in support of NATO’s Resolute Support mission and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel here at Bagram.