Airmen at Kadena AB, Japan, rededicated the base’s Erwin Professional Military Education Center in its newly upgraded facility. The modernized building features a new library and improved offices and classrooms. It is the result of a construction project of more than two years. “I believe anytime you have a great work environment, you perform better,” said CMSgt. James Laurent, center commandant. “We have the newest and, in my opinion, best school in the Air Force.” Presiding over the Dec. 16 ceremony was Lt. Gen. Jeff Remington, 7th Air Force commander. “We started the funding and discussion for [the] building in 2002, so it was a real thrill and honor to see it come to a conclusion,” said Remington, who led Kadena’s 18th Wing from 2002 to 2004. The Erwin Center, designed for the professional development of noncommissioned officers, is named in honor of SSgt. Henry Erwin, a World War II Medal of Honor recipient. (Kadena report by A1C Maeson L. Elleman)
Air Force Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost—a trailblazer and one of the first 10 women to reach a four-star rank across the U.S. military—retired and passed control of U.S. Transportation Command to Air Force Gen. Randall Reed on Oct. 4, finishing an eventful tenure at TRANSCOM.