325th FW changes command

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kirsten Wicker
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Brigadier Gen. John K. McMullen took command of the 325th Fighter Wing from Brig. Gen. James S. Browne in a change of command ceremony today.

Officiating the ceremony was Maj. Gen. Mark S. Solo, commander of the 19th Air Force, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, which trains more than 32,000 U.S. and allied students annually. The training ranges from entry-level undergraduate flying training through advanced combat crew training, and ultimately provides fully-qualified aircrew personnel to the warfighting commands.

"Today we turn the page, as the 325th FW receives another truly strong leader in General Jack McMullen," said General Solo. "He arrives in the Panhandle of Florida with terrific credentials and is well qualified to command this wing."

"General McMullen's experiences throughout his career have prepared him well for this command," he added.

General McMullen arrives from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, where he served as commander of the 3rd Wing. He received his Air Force commission through Officer Training School in March 1988. He completed F-15C Eagle initial qualification training at Tyndall in 1990, and from 1993 to 1997, served as an instructor pilot and weapons officer in the then-2nd Fighter Squadron here. General McMullen is a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Fighter Weapons School, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., and also served as an instructor pilot there from 1997 to 1999.

"Kim and I have a special place in our hearts for this place, this wing, this mission and this community," General McMullen said. "I first came here in 1989... but it wasn't until I came back in 1993 as an instructor pilot that I really understood the importance of the mission and the effect it has on the combat Air Forces, so I look forward to getting back to the training mission ... getting out there and getting the job done."

"We also look forward to getting involved in the community here," he added. "A community that is vital to our Airmen."

General Browne moves to a new position as the Director of Operations for Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, La. Global Strike Command is responsible for the Nation's three intercontinental ballistic missile wings, the two B-52 Stratofortress wings and the only B-2 Spirit wing. The AFGSC mission is to develop and provide combat-ready forces for nuclear deterrence and global strike operations to support the President of the United States and Combatant Commanders.

Commanders generally serve up to two years in a command assignment.