Air Force District of Washington moves to full operational capability

  • Published
  • By Linda Card
  • 11th Wing Public Affairs
The Air Force District of Washington, which reactivated provisionally in January, assumed full operational capability in a ceremony at the U.S. Air Force Ceremonial Lawn on Bolling July 7.

Grasping the AFDW guide-on, Col. Duane A. Jones assumed command of AFDW. He is currently also the commander of the 11th Wing, AFDW's subordinate wing, and Air Force-National Capital Region.

"There is a real threat in the world today," Colonel Jones said, alluding to the blasts that took place in London July 6. "AFDW has a very real role to play. Preparedness is what we're all about."

In his remarks to those gathered, which included Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region, service component and Headquarters Air Forces leaders, Colonel Jones reemphasized AFDW's commitment to support JFHQ-NCR.

"We will be prepared to be full partners in this duty we have before us to do what is necessary for our country, our capital and our citizens," he promised the JFHQ-NCR commander, Army Maj. Gen. Galen B. Jackman.

The brief morning ceremony included a pass in review by the U.S. Air Force Band's Ceremonial Brass and the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard.

Organizationally, AFDW will serve as the single Air Force voice in the NCR for base-operating support, major command-level functions, ceremonial and musical effects, contingencies and consequence management. Because of broader command responsibility, one combined A-staff will serve both AFDW and the 11th Wing, necessitating "dual-hatting" for some positions.

AFDW was first established in 1985 in response to the post-Cold War reduction in forces as a way to streamline the country's transition into peacetime and inactivated in 1994.

"General Jackman, we're ready to do our work," Colonel Jones concluded.