Holloman Air Force Base, located in Otero County, New Mexico, has officially transitioned from Air Education and Training Command to Air Combat Command. This significant change was marked by a ceremony on June 4, where U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Mullin assumed command of the 49th Wing, taking over from Col. John Ethridge.
New Leadership at Holloman
Col. Michael Mullin, who previously served as deputy commander of the 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, returns to Holloman with a wealth of experience. He has a history with the base, having served as director of operations for the 314th Fighter Squadron from 2018 to 2019, and later as the squadron’s commander until 2021. Col. Mullin expressed his enthusiasm for returning to Alamogordo, stating, “Community leaders and partners, Shari and I are thrilled to be back in Alamogordo. We look forward to working with each and every one of you over the next two years to make our community and Holloman Air Force Base an amazing place to live and work.”
Col. Mullin is a command pilot with over 4,000 flight hours, including 580 combat hours in support of operations such as Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. His extensive experience includes flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon, T-38 Talon, T-37 Tweet, and MQ-9 Reaper.
Transition to Air Combat Command
The transition of Holloman Air Force Base to Air Combat Command is part of a broader initiative to streamline training for fighter aircraft and remotely piloted aircraft units, thereby enhancing combat readiness. Maj. Gen. Steven Behmer, Commander of the 15th Air Force, welcomed the 49th Wing to the Air Combat Command, highlighting the critical role the wing plays in building and sustaining combat-ready forces across the Air Force.
Holloman is recognized as the Air Force’s largest formal training unit for F-16 and MQ-9 aircraft. The 49th Wing is responsible for training nearly half of all F-16 pilots in the Air Force and contributes to about 25 percent of all fighter pilots across the service. This transition is expected to bolster the base’s capabilities in generating and sustaining a lethal Air Force.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
