CoC

Col. Scott L. McLaughlin assumed command of the 349th Operations Group in a ceremony at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., April 7, 2013. Col. Matthew J. Burger (left), commander of the 349th Air Mobility Wing and presiding officer, passed Colonel McLaughlin the 349th OG colors, symbolizing the assignment of authority to command the group. Colonel McLaughlin is a command pilot with more than 5,000 flight hours, including B-52 Stratofortress combat missions during Operation Desert Storm, and C-5 combat support missions during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Prior to taking command of the 349th OG, he was the deputy commander of the 433rd Operations Group, 433rd Airlift Wing, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. In his new position, Colonel McLaughlin will oversee the largest, most diverse operations group in the Air Force Reserve Command, comprised of one C-5 Galaxy squadron, two KC-10A Extender squadrons, one C-17 Globemaster III squadron, an aeromedical evacuation squadron, an operations support flight, and an airlift control flight. "During my 20 plus years in the Air Force, I've always viewed Travis Air Force Base as the epitome of global reach execution," said Colonel McLaughlin. "I am extremely happy to be part of the Travis Team." (U.S. Air Force photo / Lt. Col. Robert Couse-Baker)

Travis welcomes new reserve operations group commander

Published April 9, 2013
By Lt. Col. Robert Couse-Baker
349th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Col. Scott L. McLaughlin assumed command of the 349th Operations Group in a ceremony April 7at Travis.

Col. Matthew J. Burger, 349th Air Mobility Wing commander and presiding officer, passed McLaughlin the 349th OG colors, symbolizing the assignment of authority to command the group.

McLaughlin is a command pilot with more than 5,000 flight hours, including B-52 Stratofortress combat missions during Operation Desert Storm and C-5 Galaxy combat support missions during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Prior to taking command of the 349th OG, he was the deputy commander of the 433rd Operations Group, 433rd Airlift Wing, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

In his new command, McLaughlin will oversee the largest, most diverse operations group in the Air Force Reserve Command, comprised of one C-5 Galaxy squadron, two KC-10A Extender squadrons, one C-17 Globemaster III squadron, an aeromedical evacuation squadron, an operations support flight and an airlift control flight.

"During my 20-plus years in the Air Force, I've always viewed Travis Air Force Base as the epitome of global reach execution," McLaughlin said . "I am extremely happy to be part of the Travis team."

Burger praised the incoming group commander's experience and skills.

"I have no doubt, Scott, that you're going to strengthen our team here at Travis," he said.

Following the ceremony, McLaughlin and his family were welcomed to the base by members of the Travis community, including Mayor Harry Price of Fairfield; Mayor Steve Hardy of Vacaville; Mayor Jack Batchelor Jr. of Dixon; retired Maj. Gen. Dale R. Baumler, former 349th AMW and 14th Air Force commander; Col. Dwight C. Sones, 60th AMW commander; Col. John M. Klein Jr., 60th AMW vice commander; Col. Darren D. Sprunk, 570th Contingency Response Group commander; and other civic leaders and Airmen.