353rd SOG gets new commander

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Marilyn C. Holliday
  • 353rd Special Operations Group Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  A new commander for the Air Commandos of the Pacific accepted the responsibility to lead the 353rd Special Operations Group into the future June 8.

Col. David Mullins accepted command from Col. Ray Chapman during a change of command ceremony with Maj. Gen. Donald Wurster, vice commander for Air Force Special Operations Command, presiding.

"It is an honor to be made your next commander," Colonel Mullins said. "Command is a privilege. There is no endeavor with more responsibility that brings more rewards, than to command special people in the service of their country."

Colonel Mullins now commands more than 750 Airmen who make up the only Air Force special operations unit in the Pacific. He moves up from the deputy commander position to commander. After serving as deputy commander for the past year he is certainly no stranger to the group and its people.

"We are truly one of the busiest organizations in today's Air Force," he said. "I promise to continue taking care of our most precious resource, the men and women of the SOG."

Colonel Mullins is a command pilot with more than 6,500 flying hours. He has commanded the 486th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and has held staff duty positions at AFSOC and the Pentagon.

The group maintains a worldwide mobility commitment, participates in Pacific theater exercises as directed and supports humanitarian and relief operations. Its five squadrons are all based at Kadena and missions include operating and flying the MC-130H Combat Talon II and MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft, as well as special tactics, operations support and maintenance.

The SOG is prepared to conduct a variety of high-priority, low-visibility missions. In addition, the group develops wartime and contingency plans, which effectively use the full range of fixed wing capabilities, to include the infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of U.S. and allied special operations forces.

The outgoing commander reflected on his four years at the 353rd SOG as both the deputy commander and commander. "The SOG has accomplished everything from Asian tsunami relief to finding and fixing terrorists to theater security in a myriad of countries," Colonel Chapman said. "We deliver wing-level strategic effects throughout the world and terrorists have been eliminated because of your skills, sacrifices and unwavering commitment to our mission."

Colonel Chapman leaves Kadena for an assignment at AFSOC Headquarters at Hurlburt Field, Fla.