BAGRAM AIR FIELD,
Afghanistan, July 1, 2015 - Brig. Gen. Dave Julazadeh took command of the
455th Air Expeditionary Wing during a change of command ceremony here July 1,
2015.
Julazadeh assumed command from Brig. Gen. Mark Kelly in a
ceremony officiated by Maj. Gen. Scott West, 9th Air and Space Expeditionary
Task Force-Afghanistan commander.
“Today I have the privilege of recognizing two outstanding
general officers,” said West. “I’m certain the accomplishments of the Airmen of
the 455th are a project of the outstanding leadership from General Kelly. I
welcome General Julazadeh as he takes command at a significant time in history;
our history and the history of our Afghan partners.”
Julazadeh is an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot who has logged
more than 2,300 hours, including over 330 hours of combat time during
Operations Provide Comfort, Deny Flight, Northern Watch and Allied Force. He
has served in numbered Air Force, USAF Major Command, Headquarters Air Force,
Headquarters North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Office of the Secretary of
Defense staff positions.
“I’m proud, honored and humbled to become the commander of
the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing. Our Vulture Airmen do amazing things every
day; your sense of duty, loyalty and commitment impresses me,” Julazadeh said.
“We’re deployed together as one team at the tip of the spear generating,
supporting and delivering combat air power every day. I look forward to getting
to know and work with every single one of you.”
Kelly has been selected for promotion to major general and
his next assignment will be as the commander of the 9th Air Force under Air
Combat Command at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina.
Julazadeh will command the 455th Air
Expeditionary for a year and will carry on the task of leading Airmen in
support of NATO’s Resolute Support mission and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel
here at Bagram.