717th Air Base Squadron Change of Command

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason Huddleston

Ankara, Turkey – U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Christopher Floyd took command of the 717th Air Base Squadron during a change of command ceremony May 16, at the Ankara Support Facility, here.

 Prior to taking command, Floyd was the deputy chief for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency Eurasia office at U.S. Embassy Tbilisi, Georgia.

Col. Todd Stratton, 39th Mission Support Group commander, officiated the change of command ceremony - a time-honored tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility from the outgoing commander to the incoming commander.

The 717th ABS is a geographically separated unit of the 39th Air Base Wing and its mission is to support the Department of Defense, NATO and embassy entities in the Ankara, Istanbul and Eskeşehir areas in Turkey.

 “Commanding the 717th ABS is a unique leadership opportunity. It’s one of the most non-standard squadrons in the Airforce. Leading this unit has been an immense honor for me,” said Lt. Col. Mack Coker.