GFAFB commander reassigned to Illinois
The base commander at Grand Forks Air Force Base has been reassigned and will take command at a base in Illinois next month. Col. John Michel said he was notified of the reassignment last Thursday. A change of command ceremony will be held at 3:19 p.m. Nov. 13, significant because he is commanding the 319th Air Refueling Wing.By: Ryan Johnson, Grand Forks Herald
The base commander at Grand Forks Air Force Base has been reassigned and will take command at a base in Illinois next month.
Col. John Michel said he was notified of the reassignment last Thursday. A change of command ceremony will be held at 3:19 p.m. Nov. 13, significant because he is commanding the 319th Air Refueling Wing.
On Nov. 14, Michel will move to Scott Air Force Base near Belleville, Ill., to become the executive officer for Air Mobility Command. All together, he will have served in Grand Forks for a little more than 16 months when he leaves.
Michel said he was excited about the new job. “It’s a great privilege moving there, and to be the executive officer to our most senior leader in the command is a great opportunity,” he said.
12 moves
Grand Forks is Michel’s 12th job location in 21 years, he said, but it has impressed him in ways other spots hadn’t. His connection to the area goes beyond the base itself and the great personnel, he said.
“This is the most committed community that I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of,” he said.
Michel is looking forward to sharing the story of the base with his new coworkers, he said, because the ongoing transition out of the tanker business into unmanned aerial vehicles will have an impact on the future of war support and national security.
“There’s a lot of exciting possibilities going forward,” he said. “I feel very optimistic that the Grand Forks Air Force Base will emerge one of the most relevant platforms in the United States Air Force.”
He wasn’t here on assignment too long, but Michel said he plans to make personal visits to his 12th hometown in the future. “We’re invested emotionally as well, and we’ve made some very good friends in the city of Grand Forks.”
Reach Johnson at (701) 780-1105; (800) 477-6572, ext. 105; or send e-mail to rjohnson@gfherald.com.
Tags: local news, gf and egf, grand forks air force base, scott air force base, john michel, breakingnews
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