JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Air Mobility Command’s sole operational test and evaluation squadron, AMCTES, housed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ welcomes a new commander.
With the mighty C-17 aircraft as a befitting backdrop, and in the time-honored tradition of the change of command ceremony, Lt. Col. Travis D. Sjostedt passed the squadron colors to Lt. Col. Anthony M. Gurrieri, relinquishing command of AMCTES.
Present to officiate the ceremony was Col. Lawrence W. S. Mitchell, Air Mobility Command test and evaluation director, who travelled from HQ AMC/TE at Scott AFB, IL.
The new commander, Lt. Col. Gurrieri, comes to AMCTES most recently from the 8th Airlift Squadron, part of the 62d Airlift Wing at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, where he was the Operations Officer, directing all training, currency, and qualification activities.
Lt. Col. Gurrieri is a seasoned C-17A pilot with over 150 combat sorties in support of the Global War on Terrorism, and logging more than 3,000 hours in the C-17A, T-37B, and T-1A aircraft.
Special family members on hand to mark the occasion with Lt. Col. Gurrieri were his wife, Dawn, and their children, Luke and Julianne. The list of distinguished guests included his parents, Lt. Col. (Retired) and Mrs. Richard Gurrieri, his brother, Lt. Col. John Gurrieri, his in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Eiland, and his brother-in-law, Mr. Dustin Eiland.
Re-activated in 1994, AMCTES traces its lineage directly to the highly decorated 33d Transport Squadron activated in 1942, which played an integral part in troop and supply transport in the South Pacific during WWII.
Today, AMCTES continues its commitment to excellence, providing the warfighter with proven solutions though safe, timely, accurate, and objective operational test and evaluation, having significant and direct impact on the overall Air Force initiatives on fleet and weapons systems modernization.
“Test in Peace, Win at War!” - this is the ‘battle cry’ of this elite force of Test Directors, and support staff airmen, whose expertise encompasses all AMC aircraft frames, including C-5, C-17, C-130H/J, KC-10, and KC-135.
AMCTES operates locally at JB MDL, as well as at four Operating Locations in Natick, MA, Fort Bragg, NC, Yuma Proving Ground, AZ, Boeing Fields, WA, and Detachment 3 at Edwards AFB, CA. By providing strategically placed subject matter experts in operations and maintenance, AMCTES is well-positioned to support Air Force modernization and acquisition programs across the nation.
Leadership from each AMCTES flight presented their farewell salute to Lt. Col. Sjostedt as he departed the stage and moves on to the next phase of his professional career, anticipating his retirement after 26 years of faithful service to the United States Air Force later this month. The men and women of AMCTES extend a proud welcome to its new commander, Lt. Col. Gurrieri, and wish him continued success as he takes on his new responsibilities.