New leader for 15th EMTF

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Nicole Langley
  • 615th Contingency Response Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force welcomed its newest commander, Brig. Gen. Barbara Faulkenberry in a change-of-command ceremony here, Nov. 13. 

Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott III, 18th Air Force commander, officiated the ceremony and formally transferred command of the task force from Brig. Gen. Mark Stearns to General Faulkenberry. General Scott reminded General Stearns how much he has accomplished during his command. 

"You and the men and women of the 15th EMTF have a lot to be proud of," he said. "You took the mobility mission straight to the war. The Air Force has been blessed with your service." 

After thanking General Stearns and the Airmen under his command, General Scott told the Airmen of the 15 EMTF about their new commander. 

"Be ready because we keep sending you the best ... General Faulkenberry is ready to lead," said General Scott. "She has the experience and the expertise to lead anywhere, anytime." 

Members of the 15th EMTF's subordinate units, including the 615th Contingency Response Wing, also based at Travis, and the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing, based at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, set the backdrop for the ceremony, by providing a full troop formation. 

After accepting the 15th EMTF guidon from General Scott, General Faulkenberry addressed the audience and members of her new command. 

"What an honor it is today to assume command of this great unit," said General Faulkenberry. "I am excited to join the ranks of the 15th EMTF. I will lead these Airmen and take care of them." 

As the commander of the 15th EMTF, General Faulkenberry will be responsible for the 615th CRW, the 515th AMOW, as well as personnel stationed at 20 locations throughout the United States, the Pacific and Asia. 

"It's a challenging time in our nation's history," said General Faulkenberry. "I know you are out there on the front lines in war and disasters." 

The task force extends existing Air Mobility Command infrastructure, through both in-place employment and rapid forward deployment capabilities, and presents forces to warfighting unified commanders by focusing on meeting the nation's global air mobility requirements. 

Prior to assuming command of the 15th EMTF, General Faulkenberry was the deputy director of Strategic Plans, Requirements and Programs at Headquarters AMC, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. 

Immediately following the change-of-command ceremony, General Stearns retired in a formal ceremony officiated by Gen. Duncan McNabb, U.S. Transportation Command commander. 

"You are the tip of the spear for TRANSCOM," said General McNabb of the 15 EMTF. "We are absolutely delighted to be here with the great Airmen of the 15th EMTF."