Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Chris Drzazgowski

Lt. Gen. Chris Nowland, Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern) commander, passes the 355th Fighter Wing guidon to Col. Scott Campbell during the unit’s change of command ceremony at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Aug. 5, 2016. Before assuming command of the 355th FW, Campbell served as the senior policy advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia.

Col. Scott Campbell assumed command of the 355th Fighter Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., from Col. James Meger during a change of command ceremony at the base Aug. 5.

Lt. Gen. Chris Nowland, Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern) commander and the ceremony’s presiding officer, commended Meger’s accomplishments and welcomed Campbell to the wing before passing command.

“We’re going to go from one incredible leader to another incredible leader,” Nowland said.

Air Force photograph by Airman Nathan H. Barbour

Col. Jennifer Short, 355th Fighter Wing vice commander, stands at the head of a formation of Airmen from the 355th FW during a change of command ceremony at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Aug. 5, 2016. During the ceremony, Col. Scott Campbell assumed command of the 355th FW from Col. James Meger.

Before assuming command, Campbell served as the Afghanistan country director for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. Campbell is also a command pilot and has accumulated more than 3,200 flying hours in the T-34, T-38, A-10 and MQ-9.

After the guidon was passed, Campbell talked about the importance of family and thanked Col. Meger for setting him up for success.

“Meegs, I can’t thank you enough for the handover and turning over a wing that is running on rails,” Campbell said. “The only outstanding rating that Air Combat Command has ever given in our new inspection process, pretty much speaks for itself on where the wing is right now.”

Meger’s relinquishment of command brought a close to his 24-year-long career in the U.S. Air Force.
 

Air Force photograph by Airman 1st Class Mya M. Crosby

Staff Sgt. Andrew, 355th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron A-10 crew chief, unveils the new pilot name of Lightning 1, the A-10C Thunderbolt II reserved for the 355th Fighter Wing commander, during a change of command ceremony at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Aug. 5, 2016. Col. Scott Campbell assumed command of the 355th FW from Col. James Meger.