Col. John Ethridge is new Holloman Air Force Base 49th Wing commander

Juan Corral, Alamogordo Daily News
Updated ·2 min read

The 49th Wing at Holloman Air Force Base hosted its change of command ceremony on May 17, welcoming Col. John T. Ethridge while saying goodbye to Col. Justin B. Spears.

Holloman Air Force Base also welcome a new 49th Wing Command Chief, Chief Master Sgt. William G. Ford.

Col. John T. Ethridge

Ethridge was the Deputy Commander of the 432d Wing/432d Air Expeditionary Wing at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada where he commanded more than 4,000 active-duty personnel before taking his position at Holloman Air Force Base.

"He was responsible for all operations and maintenance of the Air Force’s first remotely piloted aircraft wing, equipped with more than 130 MQ-9 Reaper and RQ-170 Sentinel remotely piloted aircraft," according to a biography on the Holloman Air Force Base website.

Colonel Justin B. Spears relinquished command to the new 49th Wing commander Colonel John T. Ethridge on May 17, 2024, at the 49th Wing Change of Command Ceremony.
Colonel Justin B. Spears relinquished command to the new 49th Wing commander Colonel John T. Ethridge on May 17, 2024, at the 49th Wing Change of Command Ceremony.

He is a command pilot with over 4,000 flight hours. He received his commission in 2000 throughthe Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Texas A&M University.

Ethridge has flown combat and combat support in operations in Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom and Inherent Resolve, according to the biography.

"To the men and women of the 49th Wing, I'm honored and humbled to be standing before you today. You, the airmen, who are the forty-niners deserve our highest priority as you have volunteered to serve our nation in what General Alvin called a time of consequence for our nation that what we do now matters. it matters to the future of our county and to the future of the world," Ethridge said.

"Chief Ford and I are proud to serve with each and every one of you and are honored to lead an organization that is respected and impactful as the 49th Wing. Combat Air power starts here."

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Chief Master Sergeant William G. Ford was transferred to Holloman Air Force Base as new Command Chief for the base. Ford was also present at the ceremony alongside Ethridge on May 17, 2024.
Chief Master Sergeant William G. Ford was transferred to Holloman Air Force Base as new Command Chief for the base. Ford was also present at the ceremony alongside Ethridge on May 17, 2024.

Master Sgt. William G. Ford

Ford served as the Command Chief Master Sergeant for the 80th Flying Training Wing that is home to the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas.

"Ford is from Nichols, South Carolina. He began his Air Force career in May of 1999 as a Tactical Aircraft Maintainer," according to a biography.

"Ford also served overseas in the Republic of Korea and has deployed six times in support of operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Freedom's Sentinel, Inherent Resolve, Resolute Support and the Combined Defense of the Arabian Gulf."

He is the senior enlisted advisor to the commander of the 80th Flying Training Wing. This wing conducts the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program, the world's only "internationally manned and managed undergraduate pilot training program."

Juan Corral can be reached at JCorral@gannett.com or on twitter at @Juan36Corr.

This article originally appeared on Alamogordo Daily News: Holloman Air Force Base has new 49th Wing commander