U.S. Air Force Col. Calvin Powell, Third Air Force deputy commander, transfers 39th Air Base Wing command authority to U.S. Air Force Col. Brandon McBrayer during the 39th ABW change of command ceremony.

39th ABW welcomes new commander

U.S. Air Force Col. Calvin Powell, Third Air Force deputy commander, transfers 39th Air Base Wing command authority to U.S. Air Force Col. Brandon McBrayer during the 39th ABW change of command ceremony at Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye, June 28, 2024. McBrayer leads a team of Airmen and civilians tasked with defending NATO's southern flank under the direction of Third Air Force, U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa, and U.S. European Command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Suzie Plotnikov)
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.S. Air Force Col. Calvin Powell, Third Air Force deputy commander, receives the guidon from Col. Kevin Lord, 39th Air Base Wing commander, during the 39th ABW change of command ceremony.

39th ABW welcomes new commander

U.S. Air Force Col. Calvin Powell, Third Air Force deputy commander, receives the guidon from Col. Kevin Lord, 39th Air Base Wing commander, during the 39th ABW change of command ceremony at Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye, June 28, 2024. During Lord’s command, he oversaw a variety of policy changes to include the return of pets, return of personal vehicles, reopening of the base, and revised visitation policies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Suzie Plotnikov)
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  • U.S. Air Force Col. Calvin Powell, Third Air Force deputy commander, transfers 39th Air Base Wing command authority to U.S. Air Force Col. Brandon McBrayer during the 39th ABW change of command ceremony.

    39th ABW welcomes new commander

    U.S. Air Force Col. Calvin Powell, Third Air Force deputy commander, transfers 39th Air Base Wing command authority to U.S. Air Force Col. Brandon McBrayer during the 39th ABW change of command ceremony at Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye, June 28, 2024. McBrayer leads a team of Airmen and civilians tasked with defending NATO's southern flank under the direction of Third Air Force, U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa, and U.S. European Command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Suzie Plotnikov)
    Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
  • .S. Air Force Col. Calvin Powell, Third Air Force deputy commander, receives the guidon from Col. Kevin Lord, 39th Air Base Wing commander, during the 39th ABW change of command ceremony.

    39th ABW welcomes new commander

    U.S. Air Force Col. Calvin Powell, Third Air Force deputy commander, receives the guidon from Col. Kevin Lord, 39th Air Base Wing commander, during the 39th ABW change of command ceremony at Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye, June 28, 2024. During Lord’s command, he oversaw a variety of policy changes to include the return of pets, return of personal vehicles, reopening of the base, and revised visitation policies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Suzie Plotnikov)
    Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

39th ABW welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Capt. Kaitlin Cashin and Staff Sgt. Suzie Plotnikov
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Türkiye --  

U.S. Air Force Col. Brandon McBrayer, 39th Air Base Wing commander, assumed command from U.S. Air Force Col. Kevin Lord in a change of command ceremony here June 28.

Over the course of his yearlong command, Lord oversaw a variety of policy changes to include the return of pets, return of personal vehicles, reopening of the base, and revised visitation policies. He also did this amidst 18 higher headquarters inspections, the Defense and Economic Cooperation Agreement inspection, and the first B-1 Bomber Task Force exercises at Incirlik AB. 

Lord said in his remarks, “Over the past year, your dedication, resilience, and professionalism have been extraordinary. Together, we have navigated challenges, celebrated successes, and forged a path that will leave a lasting impact on this Wing and the US-Türkiye relationship.”

U.S. Air Force Col. Calvin Powell, Third Air Force deputy commander, officiated the ceremony. “Col. Lord, you cultivated a culture of excellence at Incirlik, ensuring Team Titan was always ready, reliable, and responsive. On behalf of Maj. General Paul Moga, Commander of 3rd Air Force, thank you for your leadership.  Gen. Moga and I maintain full confidence in Team Titan and Col. McBrayer as he assumes command.”

McBrayer, the new 39th ABW commander, comes from his previous assignment as Group Commander at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. He is passionate about Airmen development and is proud to continue to build partnerships at Incirlik.

U.S. Air Force Cols. Kevin Lord, 39th Air Base Wing outgoing commander, and Brandon McBrayer, 39th ABW incoming commander, sit during the change of command ceremony.

39th ABW welcomes new commander

U.S. Air Force Cols. Kevin Lord, 39th Air Base Wing outgoing commander, and Brandon McBrayer, 39th ABW incoming commander, sit during the change of command ceremony at Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye, June 28, 2024. McBrayer was previously a group commander at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Suzie Plotnikov)
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SLIDESHOW | 3 images | 39th ABW welcomes new commander
U.S. Air Force Cols. Kevin Lord, 39th Air Base Wing outgoing commander, and Brandon McBrayer, 39th ABW incoming commander, sit during the change of command ceremony.

39th ABW welcomes new commander

U.S. Air Force Cols. Kevin Lord, 39th Air Base Wing outgoing commander, and Brandon McBrayer, 39th ABW incoming commander, sit during the change of command ceremony at Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye, June 28, 2024. McBrayer was previously a group commander at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Suzie Plotnikov)

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Jeffry Flake, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, and his son Tanner Flake stand for the playing of the National Anthem during the 39th Air Base Wing change of command ceremony.

39th ABW welcomes new commander

Jeffry Flake, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, and his son Tanner Flake stand for the playing of the National Anthem during the 39th Air Base Wing change of command ceremony at Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye, June 28, 2024. The 39th ABW 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. Suzie Plotnikov)

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U.S. Air Force Col. Brandon McBrayer, 39th Air Base Wing commander, renders his first salute as commander during the 39th ABW change of command ceremony.

39th ABW welcomes new commander

U.S. Air Force Col. Brandon McBrayer, 39th Air Base Wing commander, renders his first salute as commander during the 39th ABW change of command ceremony at Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye, June 28, 2024. McBrayer leads a team of Airmen and civilians tasked with defending NATO's southern flank under the direction of Third Air Force, U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa, and U.S. European Command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Suzie Plotnikov)

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“I am honored to join the men and women at NATO’s Southern Flank. Incirlik Air Base plays a critical role in great power competition at the strategic intersection of CENTCOM and EUCOM,” McBrayer said. “We will build upon the previous command team’s accomplishments by continuing to invest in our Airmen to further improve our mission accomplishment. Our nation depends on it.”

McBrayer now leads a team of Airmen and civilians tasked with defending NATO's southern flank under the direction of 3rd AF, U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa, 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.

For more information on the inbound command team, visit the following sources:

https://www.incirlik.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/