New operations group commander begins tour at Travis

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kristen Rohrer
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Office of Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 60th Operations Group welcomed their new commander at a change-of-command ceremony on the flightline in front of Base Operations June 1. 

Col. Anthony Butters arrived from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., where he served as the deputy commander for the 437th Operations Group. 

As 60th OG commander, Colonel Butters is directly responsible for the daily operations of the largest air mobility wing in the Air Force. With $9.6 billion in assets, the group is tasked with operating the C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III and KC-10 Extender aircraft on worldwide air-land and air-refueling missions. In addition, Colonel Butters directs all mission support activities, to include an operations support squadron providing air traffic control, weather, intelligence, flight management support, and KC-10 initial qualification/upgrade training. 

"I would like to thank Colonel Dillon for this tremendous opportunity," said Colonel Butters. "I'm proud to take this group during a time of conflict as we're supporting numerous operations around the world." 

The outgoing commander, Col. Jim Baron, expressed gratitude for his work as 60th OG commander. 

"What [the 60th Operations Group] has done is truly amazing. Every mission you flew and every piece of cargo you delivered saved a life," he said. You came out and met every challenge and did it with style." 

"I know the people in the 60th Ops Group are in the best hands they can be," he added. "I wish you the best of luck and God bless you." 

Colonel Butters eagerly anticipated accepting his new position as commander. 

"And I'm taking this group from a commander who has them running on all cylinders. I couldn't be more priveledged to lead the 60th Operations Group."