JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- U.S. Air Force Col. Darren R. Cole transferred command of the 305th Air Mobility Wing to U.S. Air Force Col. Jacqueline D. Breeden during a ceremony at Dock 1 here, July 19.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Giovanni K. Tuck, 18th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony and presented Cole with the Legion of Merit. Following the ceremony, Cole was promoted to brigadier general.
Before relinquishing command, Cole gave credit to the nearly 8,000 service members and civilian employees in his charge and spoke briefly about just some of their accomplishments during his tenure.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve alongside such outstanding, hardworking and dedicated Airmen, Sailors and their families,” said Cole. “You have all enabled us to accomplish the 305th’s mission and provided a platform for our bombers and fighters to put bombs on bad guys.”
Cole said he is looking forward to serving an even greater number of people as the director of U.S. Central Command Deployment and Distribution Operations Center and Deputy Director of U.S. CENTCOM Logistics and Engineering Directorate at Joint Base Andrews.
“I will watch from afar with a huge smile on my face,” said Cole. “I know the ‘Can Do’ wing is in good hands.”
After the ceremony was complete, Breeden said she is humbled to assume her new command.
“Attitude is number one, and I love that the motto of this wing is a positive ‘Can Do,’” said Breeden. “I’m looking forward to taking the next step with you and keeping the wing moving forward.”
Breeden previously served as commander of the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School and said she intends to continue the upward projection of the 305th AMW.
“Col. Jacqueline Breeden is a sharp officer; sharp pilot and she knows her Air Force,” said Tuck. “I could not have picked a better person to replace Col. Cole as the commander of the 305th Air Mobility Wing.”