Jones takes command of the 944th Operations Group

  • Published
  • By Elizabeth Magnusson
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The 944th Operations Group welcomed a new commander during a change-of-command ceremony here September 7.

Col. Gregory Jones, former director of the F-35 Academic Training Center at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., succeeded Col. David Garfield as commander of the 944th Operations Group in a ceremony presided by Col. Jose Monteagudo, commander, 944th Fighter Wing.

"I'm very proud of the accomplishments of our Operations Group have made under the guidance of Col. Garfield," said Monteagudo "Many times commanders' actions go unnoticed and only a few see the difference a good leader makes. The future at Luke Air Force Base is extremely bright; and as Col. Jones takes the helm, you will not meet a more qualified officer for this job."

About 100 people gathered for the ceremony. Jones' fiancée along with other family members and friends attended the ceremony.

"What you at the 944th Operations Group do here; working with the 56th Fighter Wing to train fighter pilots, and those supporting that function, the mission continues to be part of the cornerstone of delivering unrivaled, undeniable, precision airpower," said Jones to the men and women of the 944th Operations Group. "It starts here during what I call 'the important socially formative years' of a new fighter pilot; and the core skills and habits learned here stay with them."

"Your mission is clear, it is tangible, and it is noble," Jones continued. "I will enable you by supporting our people, providing you opportunities to develop, and strive to ensure we have the resources to perform the mission."

As commander, Jones will oversee the 944th Operations Group, which includes the 69th Fighter Squadron and the 944th Operations Support Flight. The Group ensures the Wing maintains fully qualified, combat ready F-16 instructor pilots, intelligence, and aircrew flight equipment personnel to support both the 56th Fighter Wing and 944th Fighter Wing missions while contributing to the contingency operations of the Combat Air Forces.

Jones is a distinguished graduate and former instructor at the U.S. Air Force F-16 Weapons School and is a command pilot with more than 3,800 hours in the F-16 and 480 combat hours gained in combat operations in Europe and Southwest Asia. Previous assignments include serving on the 10th Air Force staff, as well as Director of Operations at the Air National Guard/Air Force Reserve Command Test Center overseeing Air Reserve component fighter, bomber, rescue, and Joint Terminal Attack Controller test and acquisition initiatives.


The Change of Command Ceremony
The change of command ceremony is a military tradition, deeply rooted in history, and dating back to the time of Frederick the Great of Prussia. In that period, military organizations developed flags bearing specialized colors and designs unique to each organization. When soldiers followed their leaders into combat, they kept sight of these flags. If a banner still waved after the conflict, it was a sign that their side had not tasted defeat on the field of battle.

Because of its symbolic importance, the flag was incorporated into ancient change-of-command ceremonies. The organizational banner was exchanged in public for all to witness the naming of the new leader of the forces. The modern ceremony is also symbolic, and continues to announce to all the authority of the incoming commander in the finest of military traditions.