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Team Kadena welcomes new commanders

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Marcus Morris
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Team Kadena would like to welcome the following new leaders that took command within the last week:

U.S. Air Force Maj. Matthew McGuinness is now the commander of the 31st Rescue Squadron as of June 10. The 31st RQS trains, equips and employs combat-ready pararescue specialists. The pararescuemen are experts in medical care and small-unit tactics providing survivor contact, treatment and extraction during combat rescue operations in hostile or denied territory. McGuinness is a senior non-rated aircrew member with more than 900 flight hours in the HH-60G Pave Hawk, CH-53 Sea Stallion, MH-53 Pave Low, CH-47 Chinook and HC-130 Hercules.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kevin Jamieson is now the commander of the 44th Fighter Squadron as of June 11. The 44th FS is responsible for piloting the F-15C Eagle which is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to permit the Air Force the ability to gain and maintain air supremacy over the battlefield.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Clarence McRae is now the commander of the 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron as of June 11. The primary responsibilities of the 18th AMXS are the maintenance, generation and mobilization of more than 50 F-15 Eagle aircraft, the only F-15s in the Asian and Western Pacific region. McRae most recently served as the executive officer to deputy assistant secretary for programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller, Washington D.C.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jonathan Burdick is now the commander of the 909th Air Refueling Squadron as of June 12. The 909th ARS mission is to execute unmatched air refueling, aeromedical evacuation, and combat support during global contingencies and peacetime operations through the sustained employment and development of professional combat-ready Airmen.