New commander takes FW reins

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Larry Schneck
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  An F-16 pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours and combat time during Operation Desert Storm took charge of the 56th Fighter Wing during a change-of-command ceremony held Monday in Hangar 913.

Brig. Gen. J.D. Harris took the 56th FW reins from Brig. Gen. Kurt Neubauer who now moves on to serve as the Joint Base Balad's 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander in Iraq.

"We're happy to be home in Arizona, again," said General Harris, who has been previously assigned to Luke Air Force Base. "I look forward to serving with you for years to come."

Luke is the largest fighter wing in the U.S. Air Force and the largest military fighter base in the world.

"The job at hand is to train 90 percent of Air Force F-16 pilots and all of its crew chiefs while continuously deploying combat-ready Airmen to meet our nation's tasks," General Harris said.

The commander explained to the Airmen and group and squadron commanders in the military formation during the ceremony that he doesn't expect to make many changes in the wing.

"Everything is running very well and we're meeting the tasks at hand," he said.

Maj. Gen. Mark Solo, 19th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony and put into perspective the role of Luke in Air Force history.

"No matter the era or whether our nation was at war or peace, the mission at Luke has always been to train the world's best fighter pilots," General Solo said. "Since 1941 Luke has trained 56,673 pilots for the defense of this nation."

General Neubauer spoke highly of the men and women he's led the last two years.

"It's been my highest honor and privilege to serve you," he said as he compared his Airmen to the legacy of Lt. Frank Luke, America's second ranking ace in World War I and Phoenix native. "Luke is hallowed ground in our Air Force."

The coming years will see a transition away from F-16 aircraft as the 56th FW helps the wing at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. stand up F-16 training, according to General Harris. The 56th FW will remain focused on its current training mission and deploying warfighters.

General Harris comes to Luke from the Headquarters Pacific Air Forces at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. He served as the PACAF assistant director of operations, plans, requirements and programs during his tour in Hawaii. He has also served as the Combined Air and Space Operations Center Battle Director for Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

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