18th Operations Group change of command

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans, 18th Wing commander, speaks during the 18th Operations Group change of command ceremony at Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 25, 2024. Evans thanked the service members who have been at the forefront of defending liberty throughout the region, while also recognizing the magnitude of what was accomplished by the 18th OG over the last two years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Catherine Daniel)

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18th Operations Group change of command

Members of the Kadena Honor Guard present the colors during the 18th Operations Group change of command ceremony at Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 25, 2024. The 18th OG manages the flight activities of Kadena, bringing U.S. airpower to the farthest reaches of the globe with operations that include search and rescue, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation, and airborne air control. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Catherine Daniel)

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18th Operations Group change of command

U.S. Air Force Col. David Deptula, incoming 18th Operations Group commander, acknowledges Col. Henry Schantz, right, outgoing 18th Operations Group commander, and Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans, left, 18th Wing commander, during the 18th OG change of command ceremony at Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 25, 2024. During the ceremony, command of the 18th OG was relinquished by Schantz and passed to Deptula, who will serve as the group commander for the next two years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Catherine Daniel)

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18th Operations Group change of command

An Airmen with the 18th Operations Group swaps the name of Col. Henry Schantz, outgoing 18th Operations Group commander, with the name of Col. David Deptula, incoming 18th Operations Group commander, on an F-15C Eagle during the 18th OG change of command ceremony at Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 25, 2024. The 18th OG manages the flight activities of Kadena, bringing U.S. airpower to the farthest reaches of the globe with operations that include search and rescue, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation, and airborne air control. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Catherine Daniel)

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18th Operations Group change of command

U.S. Air Force Col. Henry Schantz, right, outgoing 18th Operations Group commander, relinquishes the guidon to Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans, left, 18th Wing commander, during the 18th OG change of command ceremony at Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 25, 2024. Passing the unit's guidon is a tradition where the outgoing commander symbolically relinquishes responsibility and authority by passing the guidon to the incoming commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Catherine Daniel)

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18th Operations Group change of command

U.S. Air Force Col. Henry Schantz, outgoing 18th Operations Group commander, speaks during the change of command ceremony at Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 25, 2024. The 18th OG manages the flight activities of Kadena, bringing U.S. airpower to the farthest reaches of the globe with operations that include search and rescue, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation, and airborne air control. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Catherine Daniel)

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18th Operations Group change of command

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans, left 18th Wing commander, passes the 18th Operations Group guidon to Col. David Deptula, right, incoming 18th OG commander, during the 18th OG change of command ceremony at Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 25, 2024. Passing the unit's guidon is a tradition where the outgoing commander symbolically relinquishes responsibility and authority by passing the guidon to the incoming commander.search and rescue, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation, and airborne air control. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Catherine Daniel)

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18th Operations Group change of command

Published June 25, 2024
By Airman 1st Class Catherine Daniel
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans, 18th Wing commander, presided over the change of command ceremony where Col. Henry Schantz, outgoing 18th OG commander, relinquished command to Col. David Deptula, incoming 18th OG commander.