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Air Force reservist commands group in Horn of Africa

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kenya Shiloh
  • Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Public Affairs
CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti --  Col. Robert Swain Jr. took command of the 449th Air Expeditionary Group from Col. Michael McMillie during a change of command ceremony here May 10.

Nearly 50 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and coalition forces attended the ceremony. Rear Adm. Jim Hart, Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa commander, was the guest speaker for the event.

"I've learned during my turnover that CJTF-HOA has many moving parts, and many great men and women who make this special mission possible," Admiral Hart said. "CJTF-HOA has an obligation to respond to matters throughout the Horn of Africa. This means Madagascar, Djibouti, Seychelles, Uganda, Tanzania, Mauritius, Ethiopia, Comoros, Kenya and Sudan. The 449th AEG has been key in our continuity of operations in achieving this effort."

Colonel Swain comes to Camp Lemonier from Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., where he served as the 22nd Air Force assistant vice commander and chief of staff. He was the first person in Air Force history to shoot down an enemy helicopter while flying the A-10 Thunderbolt II during Operation Desert Storm.

"I've been very fortunate to command a lot of units but none as important as this one with the mission we're doing today in the Horn of Africa," said the Air Force reservist. "I look forward to the challenge and supporting all the missions that we do."

He replaces Colonel McMillie who is returning to the West Virginia Air National Guard after serving several months in the area of responsibility.

Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa is part of U.S. Central Command. The organization's mission is to prevent conflict, promote regional stability and protect coalition interest in order to prevail against extremism. More than 1,700 people from each branch of service, civilian employees, coalition forces and partner nations make up the organization. CJTF-HOA's area of responsibility includes the countries of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)