An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News Search

New commander takes helm at U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center

  • Published
  • By U.S. Air Force Expedtionary Center Public Affairs
FORT DIX, N.J. --  During a change of command ceremony here May 23, Brig. Gen. Kip L. Self took command of the United States Air Force Expeditionary Center from Maj. Gen. Scott Gray.
The presiding officer was Gen. Duncan McNabb, Air Mobility Command commander from Scott Air Force Base, Ill. 

In his remarks after accepting command, General Self told the audience it was "an honor to be back home and good to see friends," referring to his time as the 621st Air Mobility Operations Group commander at McGuire Air Force Base from June 2000 to June 2002. 

Speaking to the members of the organization about his eagerness to learn his new job as head of AMC's premier educational, training and innovation institution, General Self told them, "I have a lot to learn." 

He recognized the "many accomplishments" under previous commanders and added, "I want to keep the momentum going." 

General Self departed his position as commander of the 314th Airlift Wing at Little Rock AFB, Ark., where he was responsible for the wing's mission to train C-130 aircrews for all services in the Department of Defense, Coast Guard and 28 allied nations, as well as C-21 aircrew through the 45th Airlift Squadron at Keesler AFB, Miss. In concert with the 463rd Airlift Group (Air Mobility Command), 189th Airlift Wing (Arkansas Air National Guard), and USAF Mobility Weapons School, General Self oversaw the nation's "Center of Excellence" for tactical airlift at Little Rock. 

General Self is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, earning a bachelor of science degree in psychology and management. He has held a variety of flying assignments as a helicopter and C-141 instructor pilot. The general's staff assignments include political-military planner on the Joint Staff, and country director in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He has commanded the 16th Airlift Squadron at Charleston AFB, S.C., and the 621st AMOG at McGuire AFB, N.J. 

General Self served as special operations mission commander in support for Operation Joint Endeavor, and he deployed as Director of Mobility Forces in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, he was Commander of Expeditionary Air Forces in Southwest Asia. General Self is a command pilot with more than 4,000 hours in UH-1, T-38, C-17, C-130 and C-141B aircraft. 

General Gray will become Director, Global Reach Programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. 

The U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center is Air Mobility Command's single focal point for the advanced education and training of mobility forces and expeditionary training. The center's schools, directorates, detachments and operating locations work together to achieve one major goal - keeping mobility forces ready, at a moment's notice, to deploy anywhere in the world. 

With five locations throughout the United States, more than 14,000 students graduate from 56 courses each year utilizing both in-residence and distance learning capabilities.