TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Today, the 325th Fighter Wing welcomed Col. George Watkins as the newest wing commander during a change of command ceremony at Tyndall Air Force Base, June 24, 2022.
Maj. Gen. Michael Koscheski, Fifteenth Air Force commander, officiated the ceremony as Col. Greg Moseley relinquished command and Watkins assumed command of the 325th Fighter Wing.
“To the men and women of the 325th Fighter Wing, thank you for always crushing the mission and taking care of our people along the way,” said Koscheski. “You’ve shown tremendous resiliency and strength during these challenging times. Our nation counts on you every day, and you never cease to deliver.”
Moseley delivered his farewell to the wing with a speech before relinquishing his command.
“To the men and women of the 325th FW you have inspired me every day by your commitment and dedication,” said Moseley. “You have travelled a path very few have. There is a long road ahead of the Checkertails but there is no doubt you can handle it with the pride, precision and professionalism needed and expected of you. You are the heart and soul of air dominance and it has truly been an honor in my career to be your commander.”
Watkins then assumed command of the 325th FW during a ceremonial passing of the wing guidon.
Watkins comes to Tyndall from Luke AFB, Arizona, where he commanded the 56th Operations Group in a mission of building the future of airpower by training F-35, F-16 and F-15 pilots, air battle managers, weapons directors and intelligence professionals.
“I certainly recognize the pain that this base has been through, the years of cleanup, renovations, demo and removal,” said Watkins. “I also understand we’re not done yet and I am ecstatic to be arriving just at the right time to see all the awesome progress that has been made and to envision all the progress that we’re set to make in the next few years. I am not afraid of hard work and I’m here to support the needs of the Airmen and the mission of Tyndall Air Force Base.”