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Promotion Ceremonies in the Military

Images from military promotion ceremonies, showcasing the pinning of ranks and salutes, emphasizing the significance of achieving new positions.

Canadian Armed Forces Chief of the Defense Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre presides over the North American Aerospace Defense Command Colors passing between U.S. Northern Command and NORAD Outgoing Commander Air Force Gen. Glen D. VanHerck and Incoming Commander Air Force Gen. Gregory M. Guillot during the U.S. NORTHCOM and NORAD Change of Command ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base, Feb. 5, 2024. (DoD

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Mark A. Joiner, Georgia Army National Guard, stands at attention as the narrator reads the official order and his family pins on his new rank, during his promotion ceremony April 28, 2022 at the Clay National Guard Center in Marietta, Ga. Chief Warrant Officer 5 Joiners promotion ceremony was conducted in advance of his assumption of responsibility as Command Chief Warrant Officer of the Ga. ARNG.

U.S. Air Force Col. John Sheets officiates the change of command ceremony for the Heritage of America Band at Langely, AFB, July 6, 2022. Captain David Regner relinquished command as he moves on to his next duty location.

U.S. Air National Guard Col. Christine Munch, 111th Mission Support GroupCommander, accepts the 270th Engineering Installation Squadron colors from U.S. ANG Lt. Col. Brian C. Carr, who relinquished command of the 270th EIS, a subordinate unit of the 111th Mission Support Group and the 111th Attack Wing, to Lt. Col. Carolyn R. Bartley in a ceremony held here Sept. 18, 2022. Carr, who has served for more than 30 years, spent the last 14 years of his career here serving with the 111th ATKW.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Troy Taylor was appointed the twelfth Ohio state command chief for the Ohio Air National Guard during a change of authority ceremony on September 10, 2022, at Robert S. Beightler Armory in Columbus, Ohio. Maj. Gen. James Camp, the Assistant Adjutant General for Air, Ohio National Guard, performed the ceremony as Taylor accepted authority from the previous state command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Heidi Bunker.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Derek France, left, Third Air Force commander, salutes Col. Jason Camilletti, outgoing 48th Fighter Wing commander, during a change of command ceremony at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, June 29, 2022. During the ceremony, Camilletti relinquished command of the 48th FW to France, who then charged Brig. Gen. Joseph Campo, incoming 48th FW commander, with leading the Liberty Wing.

Canadian Armed Forces Chief of the Defense Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre presides over the North American Aerospace Defense Command Colors passing between U.S. Northern Command and NORAD Outgoing Commander Air Force Gen. Glen D. VanHerck and Incoming Commander Air Force Gen. Gregory M. Guillot during the U.S. NORTHCOM and NORAD Change of Command ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base, Feb. 5, 2024. (DoD

The 121st Air Refueling Wing holds a promotion ceremony for Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Caron at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio, Feb. 4, 2024. Family and friends joined Caron to celebrate his ascension to the 9th and highest enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force. Air National Guard

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Gottfried, a small group leader with the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence Noncommissioned Officer Academy - Fort Eustis, was inducted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club during a ceremony May 20, 2022, at Fort Eustis, Virginia.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Derek France, Third Air Force commander, salutes Brig. Gen Joseph Campo, incoming 48th Fighter Wing commander, during a change of command ceremony at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, June 29, 2022. During the ceremony, Col. Jason Camilletti, outgoing 48th FW commander, relinquished command of the 48th FW to France, who then charged Campo with leading the Liberty Wing.

Lt. Col Christopher Olson took command of the 346th Test Squadron from Lt. Col. Adan Reyes during a change of command ceremony June 27, 2023 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Col. Thomas Bodnar, 318th Cyberspace Operations Group, was the presiding officer of the ceremony.

Second Lieutenant Rebekah Larsen receives congratulations from Col. Theodore Scott, commander of the 122nd Regional Training Institute and graduate of the Georgia Military Institute's officer candidate school class 36 following the graduation of the Georgia Military Institutes Officer Candidate School Class 61 at the Clay National Guard Center, Marietta, Ga. August 13, 2022. Larsen will receive training in the field artillery branch and serve with Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery Regiment.

Col. Samantha Pitman, stands at the position of attention during the 710th Operations Group change of command ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Oct. 14, 2022. Pitman took command from Col. Agustin Carrero, who has commanded the group since 2019.

Brig. Gen. Robert Hargens assumes command as assistant adjutant general of the Nebraska Air National Guard April 2, 2022, at the Nebraska National Guard's Joint Force Headquarters building.

U.S. Air National Guard Col. Randy Saldivar, the commander of the 168th Mission Support Group, Alaska, right, assumes command in a ceremony, Jan 12, 2023. Saldivar was previously the Logistics Squadron commander with the 176th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard.

Lt. Col. Daniel Chisolm takes command of the29th ATKS from Col. Steven Beattie, 49thOperations Group commander, June 29,2022, on Holloman Air Force Base, NewMexico. The Attack Squadrons from the 49thWing have graduated over 500 MQ-9 pilotsand sensor operators this year.

Col. Adam Colombo relinquishes his authority as the 111th Medical Group Commander to 111th ATKW Commander Col. Lynn Lee during a ceremony at Biddle Air Guard Base, Pennsylvania, February 3, 2024. Lee presided over the ceremony recognizing Col. Matthew Sands, who officially assumed command of the medical group. Air National Guard

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Lonny Reese (left), commander of the 114th Mission Support Group, passes the 114th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) guidon to Maj. Benjamin D. Shafer, incoming 114th CES commander during a change of command ceremony at Joe Foss Field, South Dakota, Jan. 7, 2024. The primary aim of the ceremony is to allow the team members to witness the formality of command change from one officer to another.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Pease, 65th Air Base Group senior enlisted leader, holds the 65 ABG guidon before a change of command ceremony at Lajes Field, Portugal, Aug. 19, 2022. The guidon represents the history, traditions and accomplishments of the 65 ABG.

010713-F-7906C-036. Base: Kelly Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AFMC

U.S. Air Force Humberto Pabon Jr., the outgoing 156th Wing commander, relinquishes command to U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Paul Loiselle, the assistant adjutant general-air, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, during the 156th Wing change of command ceremony at Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Carolina, Puerto Rico, Dec. 10, 2022. The change of command ceremony is a time-honored tradition, symbolizing the transfer of responsibility from one officer to another and this ceremony was held during the December regularly scheduled drill.

Col. Marcus Jackson, Space Base Delta 2 commander rolls up the 460th Mission Support Group guidon in front of Col. Brian Chellgren, the last 460th Mission Support Group commander, during an inactivation ceremony on Buckley Space Force Base, Colo., May 23, 2022. The casing of the unit guidon during its inactivation commemorates the unit, the commander and the history and accomplishments of the unit throughout the years while being a successful unit.

Brig. Gen. Lori Jones, Mobilization Assistant to the Director, Cyberspace Operations and Warfighter Communications in Washington D.C., accepts the brigadier general flag from retired Chaplain, Maj. Gen. Howard Stendahl during her promotion ceremony to brigadier general Oct. 16, 2022, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Jones was the first commander of the 960th Cyberspace Wing, the only cyberspace wing in the Air Force Reserve, activated on Nov. 18, 2018.

Col. Scott P. Weyermuller, right, incoming 2nd Bomb Wing commander, receives the guidon from Maj. Gen. Andrew J. Gebara, left, 8th Air Force and Joint-Global Strike Operations Center commander, during a change of command ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, March 31, 2022. Weyermuller is the 65th commander to lead the base since Barksdale first opened its gates in 1933.

U.S. Air Force Col. Rusty Ballard, the commander of the 182nd Operations Group, Illinois Air National Guard, receives command of the 182nd Airlift Wing during a ceremony in Peoria, Illinois, June 7, 2022. Outgoing wing commander Col. Daniel McDonough then assumed command of the Illinois Air National Guard from Maj. Gen. Peter Nezamis.

Brig. Gen. Gent Welsh, Commander, Washington Air National Guard (left) and Chief Master Sgt. Marvin Boyd, Washington State Air National Guard Command Chief Master Sergeant (right), stand at attention during the reading of retirement orders for Chief Boyd at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., on Oct. 15, 2022. Chief Boyd retired after 35 years of military service beginning in the U.S. Navy and the Washington Air National Guard. (Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. (ret.) John Hughel, Washington Air National Guard Public Affairs)

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Jeremy T. Sloane renders his final salute during the 36th Wing change of command ceremony, June 10, 2022, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. As installation commander, Birch is now responsible for the well-being of more than 8,000 joint military and civilian personnel on Andersen AFB. Additionally, he supports Department of Defense installation management of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands as the Deputy Commander of Joint Region Marianas.

Mary S. Decker, center, chief of staff for Joint Force Headquarters Air, Kentucky National Guard, is promoted to the rank of brigadier general during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., June 11, 2022. Decker joined the Air Force in 1987 as an airman basic.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Kevin Mckinley, right, 423d Civil Engineer Squadron incoming commander, receives the guidon from Col. Richard Martin, 423d Air Base Group commander, during a change of command ceremony at RAF Alconbury, England, June 22, 2022. Prior to assuming command, Mckinley attended the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.

Col. Shawn E. Holtz (right), former 110th Wing commander, passes the Wing guidon to Brig. Gen. Bryan J. Teff (left), Michigan Air National Guard assistant adjutant general, during a 110th Wing change of command ceremony at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, Michigan, June 4, 2022. Col. Daniel J. Kramer II assumed command of the wing from Holtz.

From left to right, U.S. Air Force Col. Corey Simmons, outgoing 60th Air Mobility Wing commander, Maj. Gen. Kenneth Bibb, 18th Air Force commander, and Col. Derek Salmi, incoming 60th Air Mobility Wing commander, visit with each other prior to the wing change of command ceremony at Travis Air Force Base, California, July 27, 2022. A change of command ceremony is a military tradition of formal transfer of command, responsibilities and authority from one commander to another.

Col. William Miller, Mission Support Group Commander, 131st Bomb Wing, receives the groups guidon from outgoing 131st Communications Flight Commander Lt. Col Jason Slayton during a change of command ceremony June 26, 2022, at Jefferson Barracks Air National Guard Base, St. Louis, Missouri.

Maj. Sara Kerr, outgoing 168th Force Support Squadron commander, passes the guidon to Col. Edward Borneo, 168th Mission Support Group commander, during a change of command ceremony at Eielson Air Force Base. Passing of a squadrons guidon is a tradition and symbolizes a transfer of command.

Col. Shaun Cruze takes command of the 152nd Maintenance Group at the Nevada Air National Guard Base in Reno, Nev. on Feb. 4, 2024. Cruze has nearly 35 years of military service and has been the 152nd Airlift Wing Comptroller, the 152nd Logistics Readiness Squadron Commander, 152nd Security Forces Commander and served in many other roles in the Nevada Air National Guard.

Brig. Gen. Daryl O. Hood (left), the commanding general of the 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNE) Command, and retired Col. Eric B. Towns (right) pin eagles on Col. Vance M. Brunner during his promotion ceremony on Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, Oct. 28. A native of Kailua, Hawaii, and graduate of the University of Hawaii in Honolulu, Brunner serves as the operations officer for the 20th CBRNE Command, the U.S. military's premier all hazards command. U.S. Army photo by Marshall R. Mason

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Breigh-Anna Aviles, Nellis Air Force Base Honor Guard, folds the American flag during a flag folding ceremony at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, Feb. 5, 2024. The flag was being folded for Chief Master Sgt. Michael Miller, 432nd Mission Support Group superintendent, during his retirement ceremony. Air Force

U.S. Air Force Col. William Wallis, center, 65th Air Base Group outgoing commander, relinquishes command to Brig. Gen. Otis C. Jones, left, 86th Airlift Wing commander, during a change of command ceremony at Lajes Field, Portugal, Aug. 19, 2022. The change of command tradition stems from Roman legions passing the commanders baton in front of the troops to signify their leader guiding them into battle.

Lt. Col. Tyler Cisneros, right, accepts command of the 12th Missile Squadron from Col. Tory Kindrick, 341st Operations Group commander, during a change of command ceremony June 9, 2022, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. Guidon bearer Master Sgt. Darnell Strausheim, 12th MS senior enlisted leader, looks on.

United States Army Garrison Yongsan-Casey Command Sgt. Maj. Wayne Butterbrodt, 1-17th Infantry Battalion Command Sgt. Maj. Joshua Weiss, 31 soldiers and KATUSAs participate in the Noncommissioned Officers Corps Induction Ceremony held at the Camp Casey Theatre, March 30, 2023. The inductees were soldiers and KATUSAs from USAG Caseys Headquarters and Headquarters Company, the Charlie Detachment of the 176th Financial Management Support Unit, and the 2nd Battalion2nd Aviation Regiment of the 2nd Infantry Division. The NCO Induction Ceremony celebrates newly promoted soldiers joining the noncommissioned officer corps.

Alpha Company, 46th Aviation Support Battalion, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade hosts a change of command at Evergreen Theater, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., April 29, 2022. Capt. Cameron Blackhurst reliquished command to Capt. Emmanuel Phillips.

Lt. Col. Wesley Colebar, right, strategy analyst for the 157th Combat Operations Squadron, is awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by Col. William Layton, 157th Combat Operations Squadron Commander, during his retirement ceremony, June 25, 2022, at Jefferson Barracks Air National Guard Base, St. Louis, Missouri. Colebar received the medal for outstanding service to the United States while assigned to the 157th.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Daniel McDonough, middle, the incoming commander of the Illinois Air National Guard, receives command of the Illinois Air National Guard during a change of command ceremony in Peoria, Illinois, June 7, 2022. McDonough served as the 182nd Airlift Wing commander for four years.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jacquita Melton assumed the role of Command Chief of the Ohio Air National Guard's 178th Wing in Springfield, Ohio during a change of authority ceremony held Dec. 3, 2022. Melton is the ninth command chief master sergeant of the Ohio National Guard's 178th Wing.

From left to right, Col. Eric Guttormsen, 108th Wing commander, Master Sgt. Sarah Gibson, 108th Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant, Col. Bernadette Maldonado, outgoing 108th Mission Support Group commander, and Col. Lola Washington, incoming 108th MSG commander prepare to exchange the guidon during a change of command ceremony at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Sept. 24, 2022. Washington assumed command of the 108th MSG from Maldonado who served as commander since May 2021.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Otis C. Jones, left, 86th Airlift Wing commander, passes the 65th Air Base Group guideon to Col. Brian Hardeman, center, 65 ABG incoming commander, during a change of command ceremony at Lajes Field, Portugal, Aug. 19, 2022. During change of command ceremonies, the presiding officer passes the guideon to the incoming commander, entrusting them with the responsibility and care of the unit.

U.S. Air Force Col. Vincent Krepps, left, Senior Materiel Leader, Upper Echelon, Cryptologic & Cyber Systems Division, presents the Legion of Merit to USAF Col. Timothy Helfrich, right, outgoing, Senior Materiel Leader, Cyber Systems, during the CSG change of leadership ceremony, July 27, 2022, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

Col. Taona A. Enriquez , 66th Air Base Group commander, accepts the group's guidon from Lt. Gen. Shaun Q. Morris, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center commander, during a change of command ceremony at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., June 27, as Chief Master Sgt. William Hebb, installation command chief, looks on. As commander, Enriquez is responsible for securing, supporting and sustaining more than 5,000 active duty, Reserve and National Guard personnel, Defense Department civilians and contractors, along with 130,000 retired military and spouses living in the six-state New England region and New York.

Col. Van T. Thai, 434th Air Refueling Wing Commander, renders his first salute to the airman of the Hoosier Wing at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind. on Feb 3 2024. Thai assumed command of the 434th ARW during a formal ceremony at the base. Air Force

LTG Ross Coffman, Deputy Commanding General, Army Futures Command, is promoted and presented his third star by Gen James C. McConville, Chief of Staff, US Army, on Tuesday, October 4th, 2022 in Austin, TX (US Army Photo by Patrick Hunter)

Col. Tassika Davis salutes after taking command of the 96th Mission Support Group during the units change of command ceremony July 27 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Davis took the groups reins from Col. Kenneth Black during the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Spc. Lawrence Austin, Jr. (left) and Amanda Goodwin, children of Lawrence Austin, Sr., remove the rank of lieutenant colonel from Austin during his promotion ceremony at Grenada County Court House, Grenada, Mississippi, September 10, 2022. Austin is tasked with overseeing the Mississippi National Guards Military Justice program and presiding over Courts Martial and administrative proceedings.

Lt. Col. Alvin Bradford, 507th Medical Squadron commander, promotes to the rank of colonel during a promotion ceremony September 30, 2022, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Lt. Col. Alvin Bradford, 507th Medical Squadron commander, promotes to the rank of colonel during a promotion ceremony September 30, 2022, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

CRYSTAL CITY, VA. (May 19, 2022) - U.S. Air Force Col. Ryan Mueller is pinned the Defense Superior Service Medal by Lt. Gen. Eric T. Fick, the Program Executive Officer for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office, during Muellers retirement ceremony in Arlington, VA. Col. Mueller gave 24 years of dedicated service to the U.S. Air Force and four years at the F-35 Joint Program Office, serving in two separate Senior Material Leader positions: first as the Block 4 Program Manager, and then as the Air Vehicle Program Management Office Director. The F-35 Joint Program Office is the Department of Defense's focal point for the 5th generation strike aircraft for the Navy, Air Force, Marines, and our allies. The F-35 is the premier multi-mission, 5th generation weapon system. Its ability to collect, analyze and share data is a force multiplier that enhances all assets in the battle-space: with stealth technology, advanced sensors, weapons capacity, and range. The F-35, which has been operati

Col. Tracy Allen, outgoing 436th Medical Group commander, receives a final salute from her unit during the 436th MDG Change of Command ceremony at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, June 9, 2022. During the ceremony Allen relinquished command of the 436th MDG to Col. Peggy Dickson.

LTG Ross Coffman, Deputy Commanding General, Army Futures Command, is promoted and presented his third star by Gen James C. McConville, Chief of Staff, US Army, on Tuesday, October 4th, 2022 in Austin, TX (US Army Photo by Patrick Hunter)

040630-F-1075B-005. Base: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base State: Ohio (OH) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Gary McCue, Deputy Assistant Adjutant General for Air, Ohio National Guard, Col. Chad Holesko, incoming commander of the Ohio National Guards 180th Fighter Wing, Col. Michael DiDio, outgoing 180FW Commander and Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Baumert, Command Chief, 180FW, stand at attention during a Change of Command ceremony at the 180FW in Swanton, Ohio, Oct. 15, 2022. During the ceremony, outgoing 180FW commander, DiDio, relinquished command to incoming commander, Holesko.

Lt. Col. William Skaggs, director of operations for the 157th Air Intelligence Squadron, addresses the audience, during his retirement ceremony, Aug. 6, 2022, at Jefferson Barracks Air National Guard Base, St. Louis, Missouri. Skaggs served for 37 years.

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Alaska Air National Guard Col. Kenneth Radford, Alaska Air National Guard chief of staff, promotes to brigadier general May 11, 2022, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Radford previously served as 176th vice wing commander, 176th Operations Group commander and 249th Airlift Squadron commander. (Alaska Air National Guard photo by David Bedard)

Canada Minister of Defense Bill Blair, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks and Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff Gen. Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. stand at attention during the U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Change of Command ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base, Feb. 5, 2024. (DoD

Eighth Air Force and Joint-Global Strike Operations Center Commander Maj. Gen. Andrew J. Gebara, Col. Mark C. Dmytryszyn, outgoing 2nd Bomb Wing commander, and Col. Scott P. Weyermuller, incoming 2nd Bomb Wing commander, stand at the position of attention during the 2nd Bomb Wing change of command ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, March 31, 2022. The ceremony is a military tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a unit from one commanding or flag officer to another.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Peter Carr, 104 Fighter Wing Vice Commander hugs Lt. Col. Steve Reynolds, 104FW Maintenance Group Commander during a change of command ceremony June 12, 2022, at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts. A change of command ceremony is a military tradition that represents the formal transfer of responsibility of a unit from one commanding officer to another.

Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, the adjutant general of the Minnesota National Guard, places a medallion around Col. Kevin A. Olsons neck during the Court of Honor Induction Ceremony at the Gen. John W. Vessey Recreation Center near Camp Ripley, October 2, 2022, in Little Falls, Minnesota. The Court of Honor commemorates the lasting contributions of soldiers who have dedicated their lives to the service of their communities, State, and Nation. (Minnesota National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Mahsima Alkamooneh)

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Edward Cunningham, 110th Wing chief of safety, sits during his retirement ceremony at the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, Michigan, Oct. 15, 2022. Cunningham served with the U.S. Marines and U.S. Air National Guard for twenty-three years. (Air National Guard photo by: Staff Sgt. Sean Moriarty)

FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii -- (left to right) U.S. Army Pacific Commander Gen. Charles Flynn and 18th Medical Command (Deployment Support) Commander Maj. Gen. Paula Lodi reaffirm her commitment to the Oath of Commissioned Officers during her promotion ceremony at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, Feb. 10, 2023.

Gen James E. Rainey accepts the position of Commanding General for Army Futures Command on October 4th, 2022 in Austin, TX (US Army Photo by Patrick Hunter)

Chief Master Sgt. Jerry Dunn, 374th Airlift Wing command chief, left, shakes hands with Tech. Sgt. Jacob Dunn, Defense Courier Station division station chief, during a Senior noncommissioned (SNCO) Induction Ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Sep. 1, 2023. The SNCO Induction Ceremony is a long-standing tradition within the Air Force to recognize the achievement of reaching the rank of master sergeant.

Outgoing 100th Air Refueling Wing Commander Colonel Bruce E. Burda gives the guide-on to Major General Kenneth W. Hess during RAF Mildenhall's Wing Change of Command Ceremony. The 100th Air Refueling Wing traces its lineage to World War II and the 100th Bomb Group. Today it's responsible for host management of RAF Mildenhall, providing the European theater, NATO, US, and allied forces with air refueling support. The Wing's honors include six Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, one award with valor, two Distinguished Unit Citations, the French Croix de Guerre with Palm and seven WWII campaign streamers. Base: Raf Mildenhall Country: Great Britain / England (GBR) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

Pennsylvania Air National Guardsman Lt. Col. Troy. Wing, is promoted to the rank of colonel while being pinned on by his family during a promotion ceremony at the 171st Air Refueling Wing, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, Sept. 18, 2022. Col. Wing serves as the Operations Group Commander.

Coast Guard Air Station - Clearwater, Florida - Distinguished Flying Cross - 26-HK-128-35. Hurricane Katrina

U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations, Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, presides over the Space Operations Command (SpOC) Change of Command ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, January 9th, 2023. Lt. Gen. Stephen N. Whiting, SpOCs first commander, handed the reins over Lt. Gen. David N. Miller, Jr.

2nd Lt. James Williams of Lombard, Illinois, returns the "first salute" of Sgt. 1st Class Erin Connelly. Twenty-two Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers and one U.S. Army Reserve Soldier graduated from the 129th Regiment (Regional Training Institute) Officer Candidate School on Aug. 21, fulfilling the leadership and military education requirements to be commissioned as U.S. Army officers. The Illinois National Guard's Officer Candidate School transforms enlisted noncommissioned officers and qualified civilians into U.S. Army officers. The future leaders complete more than 661 hours of classroom and field instruction, must meet the commissioning standards of the U.S. Army and be examined, and approved by a federal recognition board.

Command Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Conner receives The Legion of Merit from Maj. Gen. Michael Stencel, Adjutant General, Oregon, during his retirement ceremony on Dec. 3, 2022 at Camp Withycombe, Oregon. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

A retirement ceremony is held for U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Heidi Bunker, the eleventh Ohio state command chief, on September 10, 2022, at Robert S. Beightler Armory in Columbus, Ohio. Her retirement followed a change of authority ceremony.

Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Harron, right, senior enlisted leader for the 157th Air Communications Flight, is pinned with the Meritorious Service Medal by Capt. Garth Myers, 131st Communications Flight Commander, during his retirement ceremony, April 1, 2023, at Jefferson Barracks Air National Guard Base, St. Louis, Missouri. Harron received the Meritorious Service Medal for his outstanding service for the past 23 years.

Nearly 20 Soldiers from Blanchfield Army Community Hospital and the 531st Hospital Center were formally welcomed into the U.S. Armys Noncommissioned Officer Corps at an NCO Induction Ceremony at Fort Campbells Wilson Theater, June 27.

030811-F-0629H-012. Base: Shaw Air Force Base State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marine Corps retired Lt. Gen. Dennis Crall, a Tampa, Florida native and former director of Joint Staff J6, front, and Master Gunnery Sgt. Todd Kirby, a Blacksville, West Virginia native and senior enlisted advisor of Joint Staff J6, stand at attention during the presentation of colors and the playing of the national anthem during the retirement ceremony at the Semper Fidelis Chapel, Triangle, Virginia, Jan. 12, 2023. Kirby honorably served for 30 years and held four military occupational specialties during his career.

Lt. Col. Brittany Nutt, outgoing 436th Health Care Operations Squadron commander, right, relinquishes command of the 436th HCOS after handing the guidon to Col. Tracy Allen, left, 436th Medical Group commander, during a change of command ceremony held at The Landings on Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, June 9, 2022. The 436th HCOS Change of Command was one of four ceremonies conducted within the 436th MDG. Guidon bearer for the ceremony was Master Sgt. Kimberly Hammonds, center, 436th HCOS superintendent.

Spc. Jacob Vossen, a Soldier with Troop A, 1st Squadron, 105th Cavalry, gets assistance from Sgt. Adrianne Maniscalco prepping his uniform prior to his board appearance at the state Best Warrior Competition at Fort McCoy, Wis., April 8. Soldiers from the Wisconsin National Guard compete for the opportunity to represent Wisconsin at the regional event May 11-15 at Camp Ripley, Minn. (112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment photo by Staff Sgt. Bridget Vian)

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp, left, U.S. Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force commander, leads U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans, right, 18th Wing commander, in the oath of office during a promotion ceremony at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 30, 2024. Evans commands the largest combat wing in the U.S. Air Force which provides U.S. Indo-Pacific Command trained and equipped tactical air superiority forces; combat search and rescue forces; command and control platforms; aeromedical evacuation capability; and global mobility resources for contingency operations.

U.S. Army LTG Ann E. Dunwoody smiles during her promotion to General, where she was pinned by Chief of Staff of the Army General George W. Casey, left, and her husband Craig Brotchie during her ceremony at the Pentagon Nov. 14, 2008. Dunwoody made history as the nations first 4 star female officer.

Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, left, presents the Legion of Merit decoration to Col. Andrew Campbell, 374th Airlift Wing outgoing commander, during the 374th AW change of command ceremony, June 23, 2022, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The award was presented to Campbell for his distinguished service and contribution to Japan.

A U.S. Air Force Airman receives the Community College of the Air Force certificate during the graduation ceremony at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Oct. 19, 2022. The CCAF is the largest community college in the world, affiliated with schools in over 36 states and eight foreign locations and over 260,000 Air Force members registered.

Brig. Gen. Rodney Fischer, commanding general, 104th Training Division, pins the Meritorious Service Medal on Sgt. 1st Class. (retired) James Greco during a retirement ceremony July 1 at the General George Patton Museum of Leadership, Fort Knox, Ky. The 104th Training Division hosted a ceremony to honor the retirement of four Soldiers with more than 100 years of combined service July 1 at the General George Patton Museum of Leadership, Fort Knox Kentucky - Command Sgt. Maj. Paul Mattingly, 1st Sgt. James S. Ward, 1st Sgt. William J. Henderson, and Greco.

KEY WEST, Fla. (July 15, 2022) U.S. Army General Laura J. Richardson, commander, U.S. Southern Command, presents U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Douglas Fears with his 2nd Defense Superior Service Medal during a change of command ceremony where Fears relinquished command of Joint Interagency Task Force South to U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Mark Fedor at the Tennessee Williams Fine Arts Center in Key West, Fla. July 15, 2022. JIATF-South detects and monitors illegal trafficking in the air and on the water, and supports international and interagency operations that stop illegal drug trafficking. It operates in waters covering 42 million square miles of the western hemisphere, predominately with its 20 official partner nations.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Marshall Brad Webb (front), Commander, Air Education and Training Command, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Caroline Miller (center) outgoing commander 502nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio and U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen Russell Driggers (right), incoming commander 502nd JBSA-LAK and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Casy Boomershine (guideon), Command Chief, 502nd JBSA-LAK arrive at the 502nd ABW change of command ceremony, May 3, 2022, JBSA-Lackland, Texas.

Lt. Col. Eric Stringer, the 152nd Medical Group commander, and Maj. Gen. Shanna Woyak, Director of the Small Market and Stand Alone Medical Treatment Facility Organization (SSO) for the Defense Health Agency, bow their heads during Stringer's promotion ceremony Aug. 14, 2022 at the Nevada Air National Guard base in Reno. Woyak was the presiding official for the ceremony and was a former commander of the 152nd Medical Group.

Officer candidate Josiah J. McClarren is pinned the rank of second lieutenant during an Officer Candidate School commissioning ceremony Aug. 7 at Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pa. McClarren was recognized as the distinguished honor graduate, signifying that he had the highest total average of all evaluations and examinations in leadership, academics, physical fitness, and peer evaluations.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jennifer Johnson, right, 17th Healthcare Operations Squadron incoming commander, assumes command during the 17th HCOS change of command ceremony at the Powell Event Center, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, June 10, 2022. Change of commands are a military tradition representing the transfer of responsibilities from the outgoing commander to the incoming commander.

U.S. Air Force Col. Mark McGill assumes command of the 352nd Special Operations Wing duringthe 352 SOW change of command ceremony at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, June 24, 2022.McGill is responsible for more than 1,200 active-duty and civilian Airmen who perform missions on theMC-130J Commando II and CV-22B Osprey aircraft and Special Tactics for U.S. Air Force SpecialOperations Command in the United States European Command. The wing is the only Air Force specialoperations unit in the European Theater.

The 121st Air Refueling Wing holds a promotion ceremony for Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Caron at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio, Feb. 4, 2024. Family and friends joined Caron to celebrate his ascension to the 9th and highest enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force. Air National Guard

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Troy Taylor was appointed the twelfth Ohio state command chief for the Ohio Air National Guard during a change of authority ceremony on September 10, 2022, at Robert S. Beightler Armory in Columbus, Ohio. Maj. Gen. James Camp, the Assistant Adjutant General for Air, Ohio National Guard, performed the ceremony as Taylor accepted authority from the previous state command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Heidi Bunker.

DA-SC-85-05177. Base: Arlington State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Col. Christopher Clark accepts the 144th Fighter Wing guidon from U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Steven Butow, California Air National Guard commander, during an assumption of command ceremony, Sept. 11, 2022, at the Fresno Air National Guard Base, Calif. Accepting the guidon is a symbolic Air Force tradition, representing that the incoming commander accepts the duties and responsibilities of the role. As the base commander, Clark will oversee the bases federal missions of providing air superiority in support of worldwide joint operations as well as the variety of Defense Support of Civil Authorities capabilities to the California Governor.

Secretary of the Army John O. Marsh Jr. awards the Distinguished Service Medal to LT. GEN. Charles D. Franklin during a ceremony at the Pentagon. Franklin's wife Pat is at right. Base: Arlington State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

040611-F-0294C-006. State: Arkansas (AR) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Navy Vice Adm. Michelle Skubic, director of the Defense Logistics Agency, passes the guidon to incoming Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime commander Army Brig. Gen. Gail Atkins during the installation's Change of Command July 22 at the Defense Supply Center Columbus. Atkins assumed command from Navy Rear Adm. Kristen Fabry, who is retiring this month.

Oregon State Universitys graduating Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Cadets Bailey Breving and Micah Burke, Oregon Army National Guard (ORARNG), recite the two oaths of office during their commissioning ceremony, Friday, June 10, 2022, at the McAlexander Fieldhouse in Corvallis, Oregon. Because of the unique dual nature of the National Guard as both a state and federal service, officers in the ORARNG must take a Federal Oath of Office as well as a State of Oregon Oath of Office. Five cadets were commissioned into the ORARNG. After the oaths are administered, the newly commissioned second lieutenants are pinned with a gold bar and given their First Salute.(Photo by Sgt. Hunter Bomar, Oregon Army National Guard)

U.S. Air Force Col. Marc E. Greene, 628th Air Base Wing commander, right, leads the official party into the 628th Medical Group change of command ceremony at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, June 24, 2022. U.S. Air Force Col. Rebecca S. Elliot, middle, relinquished command to Col. Anadis Collado.

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