51st OG change of command

Col. John Gonzales, 51st Fighter Wing commander, left, presents the ceremonial guidon to Col. Matthew Gaetke, 51st Operations Group inbound commander, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 28, 2021. From this moment onward, Gaetke is now officially the commander of the 51st OG. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Douglas Lorance)

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51st OG change of command

The 51st Fighter Wing honor guard posts the colors during the 51st Operations Group change of command ceremony at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 28, 2021. The change of command ceremony is deeply rooted in military tradition that dates back to the reign of King Frederick of Prussia and has persisted into modern day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Douglas Lorance)

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51st OG change of command

Col. John Gonzales, 51st Fighter Wing commander, speaks at the 51st Operations Group change of command ceremony at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 28, 2021. As the presiding officer, Gonzales facilitated the transition of 51st OG command by receiving the ceremonial guidon from the outgoing officer and presenting it to the incoming officer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Douglas Lorance)

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51st OG change of command

Col. John Gonzales, 51st Fighter Wing commander, left, pins the Legion of Merit onto Col. David Raymond, 51st Operations Group outbound commander, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 28, 2021. Raymond earned the Legion of Merit for his exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of his duties as 51st OG commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Douglas Lorance)

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51st OG change of command

Col. John Gonzales, 51st Fighter Wing commander, left, awards the Legion of Merit to Col. David Raymond, 51st Operations Group outbound commander, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 28, 2021. Raymond earned this award for his exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of his duties as 51st OG commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Douglas Lorance)

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51st OG change of command

Col. John Gonzales, 51st Fighter Wing commander, left, receives the ceremonial guidon from Col. David Raymond, 51st Operations Group outbound commander, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 28, 2021. This act marks the official end of Raymond’s tenure as commander of the 51st OG. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Douglas Lorance)

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51st OG change of command

Col. Matthew Gaetke, 51st Operations Group inbound commander, receives his first salute as the new commander from 51st OG Airmen at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 28, 2021. From this point on, the 51st OG has officially recognized Gaetke as their new commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Douglas Lorance)

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51st OG change of command

Col. Matthew Gaetke, 51st Operations Group inbound commander, speaks at the 51st OG change of command ceremony at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 28, 2021. Gaetke established his hopes and expectations for the 51st OG going forward as the new commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Douglas Lorance)

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51st OG change of command

Col. David Raymond, 51st Operations Group outbound commander, speaks at the 51st OG change of command ceremony at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 28, 2021. Raymond gave his closing remarks as 51st OG commander to the members of the 51st OG before he left the base in the hands of the inbound commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Douglas Lorance)

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51st OG change of command

Published June 1, 2021
By Staff Sgt. Douglas Lorance
51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --

51st Operations Group held a change of command ceremony at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 28, 2021. Col. David Raymond transferred command of the 51st OG to Col. Matthew Gaetke.