BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - Brig. Gen. Patrick E. Malackowski became commander of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, during a change of command ceremony, July 8.
Gen. Malackowski assumed command from Brig. Gen. Joseph T. Guastella in a ceremony officiated by Maj. Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach, commander, 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force – Afghanistan and deputy chief of staff Air, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command.
Gen. Malackowski, who is a native of Valparaiso, Ind., is the former director of programs and analyses, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii.
As commander, Malackowski is responsible for executing close air support, air mobility, combat search and rescue, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and electronic attack operations in support of U.S., coalition and partner forces in Afghanistan. The wing also provides security for Bagram Air Field, aeromedical evacuation and command and control assets in support of the International Security Assistance Force and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Malackowski is a command pilot with more than 3,600 flight hours in the T-37, T-38 and A-10 aircraft.
Gen. Guastella, who hails from Montgomery, Ala., is moving to the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., to become the J-8 deputy director for requirements.