352nd SOG gets new commander

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Marelise Wood
  • 352nd Special Operations Group Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  The Air Commandos of the 352nd Special Operations Group gathered at Hangar 814 to witness the unit's change of command ceremony on Friday, June 25.

Col. Lewis E. Jordan, Jr. relinquished command to Col. Gary L. McCollum during the ceremony, officiated by Lt. Gen. Donald C. Wurster, Air Force Special Operations Command commander.

After more than three years in the 352nd SOG, first as the deputy commander and the last two years as commander, Colonel Jordan leaves RAF Mildenhall for his new assignment at Headquarters AFSOC.

Colonel McCollum now commands more than 700 Airmen who make up the only Air Force special operations unit in the European theater. After serving as deputy commander for the past two years, he is no stranger to the 352nd SOG and its people.

"It is an honor and distinct privilege to be trusted with command of EUCOM's Air Commandos, and to continue the positive vector set by Col Jordan," Colonel McCollum said.

Colonel McCollum is a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours in more than a dozen aircraft types. Previously, he was the inaugural commander of the 3rd Special Operations Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., and was the commander of Detachment 2, 18th Flight Test Squadron, at NAS Patuxent River, Md. and MCAS New River, N.C.

The "Quiet Professionals" of the 352nd SOG maintain a worldwide mobility capability, execute contingency response, conduct joint and combined special operations, build partner capacity, and support humanitarian and relief operations throughout the European theater and elsewhere.

Its five squadrons are all based at RAF Mildenhall with a sub-component based in Germany. The 7th Special Operations Squadron employs the MC-130H Combat Talon II and the 67th Special Operations Squadron employs the MC-130P Combat Shadow.

Additionally, the 352nd SOG includes a special tactics squadron, special operations support squadron, and special operations maintenance squadron.

The 352nd SOG commander is also dual-hatted as commander, Joint Special Operations Air Component-Europe, responsible for command and control of all United States special operations airpower within the European Command theater of operations.