927th Reservist takes charge of Ali Base unit

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jason Lake
  • 321st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
ALI AIR BASE, Iraq --  A Reservist deployed from Florida took command of the 407th Air Expeditionary Group from a Guardsman deployed from Minnesota during a change of command ceremony April 16.

Col. Theodore Mathews Jr., a veteran KC-135 Stratotanker pilot with more than 4,000 flight hours, took command of the group from Col. Jim Johnson who served as the commander since October 2010.

"I am truly honored and humbled by the opportunity to lead our Airmen in executing the final phase of operations in Iraq," Colonel Mathews said shortly after taking command. "My goal [during this transition] is to successfully and safely accomplish the Operation New Dawn mission while mentoring the Iraqi Air Force."

As the Air Force's senior commander at Ali Air Base, Colonel Mathews is in charge of more than 250 Total Force Airmen in two squadrons and six flights. Prior to his current assignment, Colonel Mathews served as the 927th Air Refueling Wing vice commander at MacDill AFB, Fla.

"It's important that Airmen here remain vigilant and confident as we meet all challenges both big and small throughout the final phases of transition," Colonel Mathews said. "I have the utmost confidence and pride in all of you and know your performance will be nothing less than excellent."

During his six months as 407th AEG commander, Colonel Johnson led the effort to reduce the unit's footprint at Iraq's most significant southern airfield by nearly 40 percent. He also provided leadership and guidance to hundreds of Airmen who supported more than 19,000 combat missions, transported more than 40,000 passengers and delivered more than 4,000 tons of cargo.

After handing over the group's guidon to Col. Michael Jordan, 321st Air Expeditionary Wing vice commander who presided over the ceremony, Colonel Johnson will return to his Minnesota Air National Guard unit, the 133rd Airlift Wing, in St. Paul, Minn., where he serves as the vice wing commander.