TOP STORY >> Black Knights welcome new commander

By Staff Sgt. Kaylee Clark

19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

The 19th Airlift Wing, along with tenant wings and civic leaders, welcomed their new commander, Col. Gerald Donohue, during a change of command ceremony July 11, 2017.

Donohue assumed command of the 19th AW from Col. Charles Brown in a ceremony presided by Lt. Gen. Giovanni Tuck, 18th Air Force commander.

Prior to departing, Brown thanked the 19 AW for their hard work and dedication to the Combat Airlift mission. As he left, Brown had one final request of the attendees which left the auditorium ringing with a charged chant of, “We Are … Black Knights.”

With a constant focus on the partnerships and teamwork which make Little Rock Air Force Base the Home of Combat Airlift, the 19th AW will continue to provide rapid global mobility and execute gray tail diplomacy under Donohue’s leadership. 

“I share the passion for the air mobility mission, a mission that continues to represent an absolute asymmetric advantage for our nation and a mission area in which the 19th Airlift Wing continually demonstrates it is a cornerstone,” Donohue said.

At his previous assignment, Donohue commanded the 86th Operations Group, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, the largest and busiest C-130 and operational support aircraft squadron in the Air Force and provided the European and African theaters with airlift and aeromedical evacuation support to include combat ready air transportation, rapidly deployable equipment, supplies and people. 

“I am honored and humbled to stand before you today,” Donohue said. “I pledge to work every day to earn your trust, confidence and respect as we seek to further the accomplishments and reputation of this wing.”