New leader assumes command of 615 CRW Published Sept. 25, 2008 By 1st Lt. Nicole Langley 615th Contingency Response Wing Public Affairs TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Col. John Lipinski assumed command of the 615th Contingency Response Wing in a change-of-command ceremony Sept. 23. As commander of the 615 CRW - one of only two such wings in the U.S. Air Force - Colonel Lipinski will lead an assigned military and civilian work force of more than 700 people. Prior to arriving, Colonel Lipinski was the commander of the 15th Maintenance Group at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. In addition to experience at numerous operational and staff assignments throughout his 23-year career, he is a command pilot with more than 3,900 flying hours in multiple aircraft weapon systems and combat time in the C-130E Hercules. The change-of-command event was held in conjunction with the retirement ceremony of the 615 CRW's outgoing commander, Col. Anthony Hinen. The 615 CRW is a tenant unit at Travis, whose mission is to rapidly establish air mobility operations in support of contingency efforts and humanitarian operations. Members of the wing are expertly trained to load and depart to locations worldwide in less than 12 hours after receiving a call to respond. The wing's most recent humanitarian operations include deploying Airmen in support of hurricanes Gustav and Ike.