Col. Kevin Snow officially assumed command of the 459th ARW during a change of command ceremony held at Joint Base Andrews, Md, Feb. 8, 2026. Col. Snow steps into this important role following Col. Michael Masuda’s leadership.
Prior to his new position, Col. Snow served as the Reserve Component Chair at National Defense University in Washington, D.C. As commander of the 459th, Col. Snow will now lead more than 1,300 military and civilian personnel and oversee eight KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft supporting Air Mobility Command’s global air refueling mission.
The 459th is critical to providing agile combat support and aeromedical evacuation capabilities to combatant commands during both peace and times of crisis.
The ceremony was officiated by Maj. Gen. Paul Fast, Fourth Air Force Commander.