39th Air Base Wing change of command ceremony July 16, 2026

The 39th Air Base Wing bid farewell to U.S. Air Force Col. Albert Esposito as he relinquished command and welcomed Col. Isaac Adams as he assumed leadership during a change of command ceremony at Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye, July 8, 2026.

Maj. Gen. Paul Moga, Third Air Force commander, was the presiding official for the ceremony.

Esposito, who previously served as the deputy commander of the 39th ABW, became the wing commander summer of 2025. During the ceremony he reflected on his time in command and thanked the team for their support and efforts.

“Serving as the 39th ABW commander has been a once in a lifetime opportunity,” he said. “I knew it would be tough but luckily, I had all of you in the wing taking care of each other and our mission. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”

The incoming commander, Adams, previously served at Incirlik Air Base in 2018 as the 728th Air Mobility Squadron Commander.

Throughout his career, key assignments have included serving as the Chief Speechwriter to the Secretary of the Air Force and as U.S. Transportation Command’s Liaison to Joint Task Force 406 while abord the USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20).

Most recently, Adams was the Global Mobility Division Chief and Chair of the Rapid Global Mobility, Special Operations Forces at the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia.

The mission of the 39th ABW is to defend NATO’s southern flank. By operating as a responsive staging and operational platform, the wing projects integrated, forward-based air power to deter aggression and protect U.S. and Allied interests in the region.

Detailing his core priorities to the team, Adams outlined a clear charge to execute as he assumed command.

“Incirlik is not just a power projection platform, we are THE power projection platform of choice when the U.S. and our Allies need to operate across Europe, Asia, or the Middle East,” he said. “Our units must be ready to expand to meet joint requirements and project national forces. To ensure we are ready, we will forge Airmen and families, we will deter aggression and we will project power.”

Adams also challenged the team to make every day of their short tour count, urging them to view their time in Türkiye as a time for personal and professional growth.

“This will require us to execute via mission command. Commanders, senior enlisted leaders and all our Airmen are charged to be bold, take risks and innovate,” said Adams. “To do this we must take care of our people and at the end of your tour in the 39th Air Base Wing, I hope you’re a better Airman and a better person.”.

Under this new chapter of leadership, the 39th ABW stands ready to continue supporting joint and Allied operations across the theater.