Subscribe
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. -- Col. Douglas C. Jeffrey IV assumed command of the 452nd Air Mobility Wing during a ceremony at March Air Reserve Base, California, Aug. 24, 2026.
Brig. Gen. Alan E. Duckworth, Fourth Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony, which formally transferred responsibility for the Air Force Reserve Command's largest mobility wing to Jeffrey.
The 452nd AMW is composed of more than 4,000 personnel and operates C-17 Globemaster III and KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft. As the host wing at March ARB, the 452nd also supports a range of joint, interagency and partner missions.
Duckworth highlighted the wing's recent operational accomplishments and the Airmen responsible for carrying them out.
"Different missions, different partners and different challenges, but each required people who were trained, prepared and willing to get the job done," Duckworth said. "The men and women of the 452nd deliver."
Jeffrey arrives at March ARB following a command tour with the 433rd Airlift Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. A command pilot, his career includes experience in the C-5 Galaxy, KC-135, C-17 and KC-46 Pegasus, as well as combat missions supporting operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
"Col. Jeffrey understands mobility, he understands the Reserve, and most importantly, he understands the responsibility that comes with leading Airmen," Duckworth said.
Duckworth told the wing that Jeffrey's leadership experience and emphasis on people would be important as he assumes responsibility for more than 4,000 Airmen.
"More than 4,000 men and women are trusting you to lead them, develop them and prepare them for whatever comes next," Duckworth said.
For Jeffrey, assuming command at March ARB also carries a personal connection. During his remarks, he recounted his family's history in the Inland Empire and at March. His great-grandfather, Arthur, lived and worked in the area, beginning a family connection to the region that stretches back more than a century. That connection continued with Jeffrey's grandfather, Douglas Jeffrey Jr., who served as a weatherman at March and worked in the same building that today houses his office.
"Our history runs deep, and we are excited to be here," Jeffrey said. "When I found out that we were coming to March, I started looking at the history, and goodness gracious, this base has history."
Jeffrey also connected his priorities for the wing with the five task areas established by Lt. Gen. Paul R. Fast, chief of Air Force Reserve and commander of Air Force Reserve Command: prepare for war; develop Airmen; preserve and protect Reservists' ability to serve; fiercely manage and execute resources; and curate a Reserve force for the future. At the wing level, Jeffrey distilled that direction into three priorities.
"You know what to do: defend the base, mobilize and fight," Jeffrey said.
He emphasized that readiness begins with taking care of Airmen and their families, particularly those serving away from home. He pointed to programs supporting deployed members and their families, as well as the importance of resolving issues such as pay and reintegration after deployments.
"I want you to know I care about each and every one of you," Jeffrey said. "My promise is that I will take care of Airmen."
Jeffrey said he does not intend to replace the wing's existing focus, but to build on its readiness and operational record.
"We will defend the base, we will continue to mobilize, and we will continue to fight and protect and defend this nation," Jeffrey said.
He closed by challenging the wing to consider what it will leave to the Airmen who follow.
"Let's ensure that the next generation inherits a wing that is more ready, more capable and more united because of what we did," Jeffrey said. "Take care of those beside us. Defend, mobilize and fight."
| Date Taken: | 09.13.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.18.2026 15:43 |
| Story ID: | 574766 |
| Location: | MARCH AIR FORCE BASE, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 57 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Col Jeffrey assumes command of 452nd Air Mobility Wing, by SMSgt Wendy Day, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
