9 AETF-L: Kindsvater assumes command from Gersten

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Zachary Kee | Maj. Gen. Scott Kindsvater assumes command of the 9th Air Expeditionary Task Force-Levant and receives the guidon from Lt. Gen. Charles Brown Jr., U.S. Air Forces Central Command commander, during a change of command ceremony at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia May 16, 2016. The 9 AETF-L was established on May 18, 2015 in direct support of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Kee)  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

05.16.2016

Story by Senior Airman Zachary Kee 

386th Air Expeditionary Wing

Kindsvater is deployed from Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, where he served as the U.S. Air Forces Central Command assistant deputy commander.
Gersten was the first commander of the unit when it was stood up nearly a year ago. He expressed that the unit made a difference and received high praise from Lt. Gen. Charles Brown Jr., AFCENT commander.
“His leadership has been a key to success for the organization and the 9th AETF-L,” said Brown. “He should be very proud of his accomplishments and the progress he has made in the last year. I want to thank him personally. It has been an honor to serve with him and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
For the incoming commander, Kindsvater is no stranger to operations in Central and Southwest Asia and said it is awesome to be back in Southwest Asia. While at Shaw AFB he developed contingency plans and executed air operations for the 20 nations that fall under AFCENT responsibility.
Kindsvater who worked under Brown at AFCENT headquarters will take over for a unit that is a parent organization of the 386th AEW and several other units in the AOR.
“He understands my vision,” praised Brown. “He knows where I’m going with things, which I think in the big scheme of things will allow us to have even greater synergy as a team in the next year. I am extremely confident under his leadership that the 9th AETF-L will build upon the great work that has been done by General Gersten and the benchmarks he has set.”
Kindsvater said his focus will be very simple.
“We will look to more effectively integrate and operate across the joint team and with our partner nations as we achieve coalition objectives,” he said. “Our work is all about team ball play.”
Kindsvater received the reassignment after being selected for promotion to major general and will be the second leader to hold the position, following his close friend Gersten.
“I have known General Gersten since we were teenagers at the Air Force Academy,” said Kindsvater. “It is a real treat to follow him again. He made a significant impact at the air expeditionary task force and I will work hard every day to build on his legacy.”
To conclude the first change of command in the unit’s history, the new commander took the time to address the people of the 9th AETF-L.
“It is my humble privilege to be your commander,” said Kindsvater. “Your service and sacrifice is inspirational to me. This is a great mission to be a part of and I am absolutely proud.”

• Date Taken: 05.16.2016
• Date Posted: 05.17.2016 09:12
• Story ID: 198343
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)