Trading in the shiny, state of the art jets at McChord Field for the old-school aircraft of Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio does have its reward - position of commander for the 910th Airlift Wing.

Col. James Dignan, 446th Operations Group commander here, will be leaving McChord Field toward the end of the month to command of a wing which carries out the unique mission of aerial spraying, as well as the traditional airlift mission.

"This opportunity came as a surprise," said Dignan, who lives in Gig Harbor. "It was certainly unexpected. I first heard this was being considered in December, and received official notification around Jan. 18."

When he arrived at McChord in 2010, the 446th Airlift Wing had 16 aircrews on full-time orders in support of operations around the world; Southwest Asia in particular. As he departs, the wing has no crews on full-time orders.

"My biggest challenge was managing the drawdown from mobilizations and active participation in the Southwest Asia mission to a more sustainable, traditional Reserve role," said Dignan, who received his commission through U.S. Navy Aviation Officer Candidate School. "It's good to get our Reserve platform level again, balancing Reservists with their employers and families."

While here, Dignan led his group through numerous higher headquarters inspections, including an operational readiness inspection in October 2012. Such experience will well serve the 910th AW as it prepares for an operational readiness exercise shortly after Dignan takes command of the wing.

Not only will Dignan be returning to an aircraft he knows well (more than 4,000 flying hours in the C-130), he will be joining some familiar faces on his staff.

"The operations group commander at Youngstown gave me my first ever check ride in a C-130," said Dignan. "And, I served with the maintenance group commander there when we were both at Maxwell (Air Force Base, Ala.)."

While Dignan will be hitting the road around Feb. 24, he will return March 3 for the 446th OG change of command.