The United States Air Force Expeditionary Center at JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., recently reunited with five former commanders in a day devoted to celebrating the center’s heritage, according to a Feb. 10 release. “The opportunity to meet face-to-face with each of these former commanders and get their candid feedback about the USAF EC was invaluable and we were privileged to host the event,” said Maj. Gen. Rick Martin, USAF EC commander. Many of the five commanders, who served at the center between 1997 and 2010, noted how it has transitioned from a regular schoolhouse to a schoolhouse with responsibilities “equivalent” to a numbered Air Force, states the release. “When I was commander, we were simply a school house for the Air Force providing air mobility education as well as expeditionary training,” said retired Maj. Gen. Richard Devereaux, who served as USAF EC commander from 2009-10. Devereaux said consolidating various organizations under “one very prominent commander” has been “a great development for our Air Force.” The former commanders also were briefed on integrated technology and toured the building.
The 301st Fighter Wing in Fort Worth, Texas, became the first standalone Reserve unit in the Air Force to get its own F-35s, welcoming the first fighter Nov. 5.