39th ABW welcomes new commander

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Randall Reed (left), Third Air Force commander, presents the guidon to Col. Jason Gingrich, incoming 39th Air Base Wing commander, during a change of command ceremony at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, July 1, 2021. Gingrich replaced Col. John Creel as 39th ABW commander after serving as the senior military advisor for the U.S. Mission to NATO. The 39th ABW is charged with defending NATO’s southern flank under the auspices of Third Air Force, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. European Command. The wing projects global power through strategic deterrence, agile combat support and enduring partnerships to defend U.S. interests and allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Derek Seifert)

39th ABW welcomes new commander

U.S. Air Force Col. Jason Gingrich, incoming 39th Air Base Wing commander, delivers remarks during a change of command ceremony at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, July 1, 2021. During the ceremony, Col. John Creel relinquished command of the 39th ABW to Maj. Gen. Randall Reed, Third Air Force commander, who then charged Gingrich with leading the wing. The 39th ABW is charged with defending NATO’s southern flank under the auspices of Third Air Force, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. European Command. The wing projects global power through strategic deterrence, agile combat support and enduring partnerships to defend U.S. interests and allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Cook)

39th ABW welcomes new commander

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Randall Reed (left), Third Air Force commander, and Col. John Creel (right), outgoing 39th Air Base Wing commander, congratulate Col. Jason Gingrich, incoming 39th ABW commander, during a change of command ceremony at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, July 1, 2021. During the ceremony, Creel relinquished command of the 39th ABW to Reed, who then charged Gingrich with leading the wing. The 39th ABW is charged with defending NATO’s southern flank under the auspices of Third Air Force, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. European Command. The wing projects global power through strategic deterrence, agile combat support and enduring partnerships to defend U.S. interests and allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Derek Seifert)

39th ABW welcomes new commander

Published July 1, 2021
By Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Lovelady
39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --

Col. Jason Gingrich assumed command of the 39th Air Base Wing during a change of command ceremony at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, July 1, 2021.

Gingrich replaced Col. John Creel as 39th ABW commander after serving as the senior military advisor for the U.S. Mission to NATO.

In his first remarks as commander, he thanked his commanders and NATO allies – including those from Turkey, Spain and Poland – for attending the ceremony before addressing the Airmen under his command.

“Team Titan, it is an honor to be your commander and I look forward to this next year,” said Gingrich. “It’s going to be a great adventure!”

Maj. Gen. Randall Reed, Third Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony and expressed his confidence in Gingrich.

“We and USAFE-AFAFRICA (U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa) spent a tremendous amount of time searching high and low – making all kinds of calls, doing backgrounds checks – to find the perfect individual to come here, to keep the momentum going, but take things to the next highest level,” he said. “[Gingrich], that’s where you come in. Titans, it won’t take very long for you to figure out just how good a pick we made for you.”

Reed also thanked Creel for his accomplishments and leadership as Titan One.

“Looking back at the last year of this wing is nothing less than inspirational,” he said. “Multiple waves of the COVID pandemic brought a seemingly impossible trilemma between health protection measures, mental well-being, and readiness. This wing not only overcame this challenge, it excelled! I attribute this excellence to all the Airmen of the 39th, but especially to Colonel Creel’s leadership and remarkable ability to foster relationships.”

Before relinquishing command of the 39th ABW, Creel expressed his gratitude to the Airmen under his command and offered his advice to the new commander.

“You are amazing, and I am humbled to have served with you; I can depart here today knowing you are in great hands with Colonel Gingrich,” he said. “[Gingrich], congratulations for being selected as the commander of the 39th Air Base Wing. Have fun with it and show people around you so they want to be you in the future. You have a great team to work with.”

As commander of the 39th ABW, Gingrich leads a team of Airmen and civilians charged with defending NATO’s southern flank under the auspices of Third Air Force, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. European Command. The wing projects global power through strategic deterrence, agile combat support and enduring partnerships to defend U.S. interests and allies.