Mission support group welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alesia Goosic
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Colonel Roftiel Constantine took command of the 18th Mission Support Group from Col. Kelly Fletcher during a change of command ceremony at the AWACS hangar July 27.

Colonel Constantine recently served as the Deputy J-6 of the NATO Joint Force Command in Brunssum, The Netherlands.

"It is truly an honor and a privilege to serve as the next Commander of the 18th Mission Support Group," Colonel Constantine said shortly after taking the group guidon from Brig. Gen. Ken Wilsbach, 18th Wing commander. "It will be an honor to serve with you, and I very much look forward to meeting each of you soon as we work together to help take the 18th Mission Group and the 18th Wing to the next levels."

As the new commander, Colonel Constantine manages the largest mission support group in the Air Force, consisting of 4,000 Airmen and civilians in five different squadrons. He will also act as the "Mayor" of Kadena Air Base, serving as the 18th Wing Commander's primary representative to the surrounding communities of Kadena Town, Okinawa City and Chatan Town.

"You're stepping into a huge group with a lot of challenges," General Wilsbach said to Colonel Constantine, "but as you take over this diverse and dynamic group, I know you're ready."For the next two years, I know you're going to sustain and keep the mission at Kadena going."

Some of Colonel Constantine's previous assignments include: Ramstein AB, Germany; Hurlburt Field, Fla.; Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; Offutt AFB, Neb., and the Pentagon.

Before heading to his next assignment in Hawaii, Colonel Fletcher was presented the Legion of Merit by General Wilsbach for his service at Kadena.

During his tenure as the mission support group commander, the group has earned numerous PACAF and AF-level awards. "He helped turn around several struggling squadrons," General Wilsbach said, "and helped shape them into PACAF and AF-level benchmarks."

Colonel Fletcher personally thanked those under his command for their hard work and dedication and his friends and members of the local community for making his time on Okinawa memorable.

"I know the MSG will continue to move on and do great things under Colonel Constatine," Colonel Fletcher said.