51st FW Change of Command

From the left, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Ryan Keeney, 7th Air Force deputy commander, Col. Joshua Wood, 51st Fighter Wing outgoing commander, and Col. William McKibban, 51st FW incoming commander, render salutes during the Republic of Korea and United States national anthems at Osan Air Base, ROK, June 20, 2023. Change of command ceremonies symbolize the transfer of command responsibility and accountability from one individual to another which is physically represented by the passing of the guidon - the tangible symbol of the unit - from the outgoing commander to the incoming commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)

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51st FW Change of Command

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Ryan Keeney, left, 7th Air Force deputy commander, presents the guidon to Col. William McKibban, 51st Fighter Wing incoming commander, as a symbol of taking command at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, June 20, 2023. Prior to taking command, McKibban served as the 52nd Fighter Wing vice commander at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)

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51st FW Change of Command

U.S. Air Force Col. William McKibban, 51st Fighter Wing incoming commander, renders his first salute to his wing during a change of command ceremony at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, June 30, 2023. Change of command ceremonies symbolize the transfer of command responsibility and accountability from one individual to another which is physically represented by the passing of the guidon - the tangible symbol of the unit - from the outgoing commander to the incoming commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)

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51st FW Change of Command

U.S. Air Force Col. William McKibban, 51st Fighter Wing incoming commander, gives his first speech to his wing during a change of command ceremony at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, June 20, 2023. The 51st FW was activated on Aug. 10, 1948 at Naha AB, Okinawa, and was redesignated six times throughout its 63-year history, as well as located at six different bases in the Pacific Theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)

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51st FW Change of Command

U.S. Air Force Col. Joshua Wood, right, 51st Fighter Wing outgoing commander, relinquishes command of the 51st FW to Brig. Gen. Ryan Keeney, 7th Air Force deputy commander during a change of command ceremony at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, June 20, 2023. In a change of command ceremony, the guidon symbolizes the transfer of command and the authority and responsibility associated with it. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)

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51st FW Change of Command

U.S. Air Force Col. Joshua Wood, 51st Fighter Wing outgoing commander, renders his final salute to the wing during a change of command ceremony at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, June 20, 2023. After relinquishing command, Wood will be retiring back to the United States after 22 years of service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)

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51st FW Change of Command

U.S. Air Force Col. Joshua Wood, 51st Fighter Wing outgoing commander, provides a final speech to his wing during a change of command ceremony at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, June 20, 2023. The 51st Fighter Wing provides combat-ready forces for close-air support, air strike control, forward air control-airborne, combat search and rescue, counter air and fire, and interdiction in the defense of ROK. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)

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51st FW Change of Command

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Ryan Keeney, left, 7th Air Force deputy commander, presents a Meritorious Service Medal to Col. Joshua Wood, 51st Fighter Wing outgoing commander, during a change of command ceremony at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, June 20, 2023. The MSM is a military decoration awarded by various branches of the Armed Forces to recognize distinguished or outstanding meritorious service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)

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51st FW Change of Command

U.S. Air Force Col. Joshua Wood, left, 51st Fighter Wing outgoing commander, stands by after receiving his Meritorious Service Medal from Brig. Gen. Ryan Keeney, right, 7th Air Force deputy commander, during a change of command ceremony at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, June 20, 2023. The MSM is a military decoration awarded by various branches of the Armed Forces to recognize distinguished or outstanding meritorious service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)

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51st FW Change of Command

Published June 20, 2023
By Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell
51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- From the left, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Ryan Keeney, 7th Air Force deputy commander, Col. Joshua Wood, 51st Fighter Wing outgoing commander, and Col. William McKibban, 51st FW incoming commander, render salutes during the Republic of Korea and United States national anthems at Osan Air Base, ROK, June 20, 2023. Change of command ceremonies symbolize the transfer of command responsibility and accountability from one individual to another which is physically represented by the passing of the guidon - the tangible symbol of the unit - from the outgoing commander to the incoming commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)