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20th Fighter Wing receives new commander

  • Published
  • By Kimberly Champagne
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Command of the 20th Fighter Wing changed hands Feb. 28 in a ceremony officiated by Lt. Gen. Gary North, 9th Air Force and U.S. Central Command Air Forces commander.
 
Col. James Post III took command from Col. Bill Hyatt, who will take command of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing in Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. 

"I look forward to working with you and your staff," Colonel Post said to General North during the ceremony. "Our training and readiness are more important today than ever. We are going to prepare to integrate the 3rd Army into our community so they can hit the ground running."

During his remarks, General North charged Colonel Post with staying on course, moving the men and women of the 20th FW forward and continuing the excellence and outstanding results that the 20th FW Airmen always produce. 

General North also said that not only must Colonel Post continue with 3rd Army's move to Shaw in 2008, but he must also prepare the base to welcome the F-35 Lightning II. 

Colonel Post comes to the wing after serving as the Standardization and Evaluation chief for 12th Air Force at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. He is a command pilot and has served as an instructor pilot, weapons officer, operations officer, and as a squadron and vice commander. 

This is Colonel Post's second assignment to Shaw. His last assignment was from September 1999 to June 2002.

As the 20th FW commander, Colonel Post is in charge of the largest operational F-16 fighter wing in the Air Force. He is responsible for organizing, training and equipping 19 squadrons, including three F-16CJ squadrons. He is also responsible for the care, morale and welfare of about 6,000 military members and 1,000 civilians assigned to the base. 

"I am the luckiest man alive today. It's an honor to be here," Colonel Post said.

The colonel pledged the 20th FW will remain mission capable and ready to deploy.  Adding that whenever called upon, the wing will respond and continue the legacy of excellence.