Airmen of the 62nd Maintenance Group saluted their new commander during a change of command ceremony June 14.

Col. Craig Gaddis took command of the 62nd MXG from Col. Thomas Jackson, who will retire after 26 years of honorable service in the Air Force.

"Taking command is an opportunity I don't take lightly," said Gaddis. "I'm humbled to take command of the outstanding Airmen of the 62nd Maintenance Group and confident that we will continue to uphold this group's reputation of excellence."

Gaddis previously served as the Joint Staff Distribution Division deputy chief at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. He graduated from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., with a Bachelor of Arts in history and commissioned in the Air Force in 1990.

Gaddis has performed duties in both logistics and aircraft maintenance career fields and has served at the Numbered Air Force, two major commands and Joint Chief of Staff.

In his Air Force career, Gaddis has been awarded the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster and Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster.

"I am pleased to welcome such an accomplished and motivated leader," said Col. Wyn Elder, 62nd Airlift Wing commander. "Experience like his doesn't come along often. I look forward to seeing the maintenance group flourish under his command."

As commander of the 62nd MXG, Gaddis is responsible for organizing, training and equipping more than 1,500 military, civilian personnel and Air Reserve technicians in executing global reach mission taskings through aircraft maintenance, aerial port and munitions support for 48 permanently assigned C-17 Globemaster III aircraft worth more than $10 billion. Additionally, he will manage more than 120 industrial facilities worth more than $670 million and a $520 million budget.

Airman 1st Class Jacob Jimenez is a journalist with the 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs.