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AFDW guidon passes to Maj. Gen. Jones during change of command

  • Published
  • By Benjamin Newell
  • AFDW Public Affairs
AIR FORCE DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON --  Maj. Gen. Darrell D. Jones officially took command of the Air Force District of Washington during a change of command ceremony held at Joint Base Andrews-NAF Washington, Md., Nov. 18 in Hangar 3. The ceremony was hosted by Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Howie Chandler.

General Jones received the AFDW guidon from General Chandler, officially denoting the departure of Maj. Gen. Ralph Jodice. The ceremony was attended by nearly 500 Airmen, DoD employees and members of the Jones and Jodice family.

"The men and women of the National Capitol Region depend on AFDW's leadership," said General Chandler. "I know that Darrell and his wife, Holly will be there to guide this unique organization."

General Jones comes to AFDW after a decorated Air Force career as a manpower and personnel leader at the headquarters, command, wing and group level. He has served as the Director of Manpower and Personnel at U.S. Central Command Headquarters and most recently as Director of Force Management Policy for the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower and Personnel at Air Force Headquarters.

In his speech, the general acknowledged he is taking command of a relatively new organization with a multi-faceted mission. AFDW is one of five Air Force Direct Reporting Units. It is comprised of a headquarters staff, three wings and one group: The 11th Wing at Bolling AFB and the 79th Medical Wing and 316th Wing at Andrews AFB. Also under AFDW is the 844th Communications Group. The command acts as the single Air Force voice for planning and implementing Air Force and joint solutions within the National Capital Region. AFDW organizes, trains, equips and provides forces for Air and Space Expeditionary Force deployments, homeland operations and ceremonial support within the National Capital Region and worldwide. AFDW is also charged to serve Air Force elements worldwide and provides support for approximately 40,000 Air Force military and civilian members in over 100 countries.

General Jones said he looked forward to ensuring these missions continue in a world-class manner and looks forward to continuing AFDW's tradition of being a "trusted and reliable joint partner in the National Capital Region.

"I thank the men and women of AFDW for the warm welcome and for allowing Holly and me to join your team," he said. "I also thank you for what you do every day to uphold the Air Force standards of Integrity, Excellence and Service."

General Jodice, who took command of AFDW in August of 2008 and led it through ceremonial events ranging from the inauguration of President Barack Obama in January 2009, to a G-20 summit, will be moving on to a joint assignment in Izmir, Turkey, as the commander of the Allied Air Component Command Headquarters and commander of the 16th Air Expeditionary Task Force for U.S. Air Forces in Europe.

Prior to the change of command, General Jodice was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. The general's change of assignment also included a promotion to lieutenant general.