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Jordan assumes command of 352nd SOG

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Dennis Brewer
  • 352nd Special Operations Group Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, United Kingdom --  The men and women of the 352nd Special Operations Group gathered in Hangar 814 to witness the unit's change of command ceremony officiated by the top Air Commando July 23. 

Col. Lewis Jordan Jr. succeeded Col. Brian Cutts during the ceremony, officiated by Lt. Gen. Donny Wurster, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command. 

Maj. Gen. Frank Kisner, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command Europe, also attended the ceremony. 

Colonel Jordan now commands more than 700 Airmen who make up the only Air Force special operations unit in the European theater. After serving as deputy commander for the past year, he is no stranger to the 352nd SOG and its people. 

"In my year as the deputy, I have seen superb airmanship exhibited by this group of Air Commandos," Colonel Jordan said. "I have seen them succeed where others have failed, or dared not try. I have seen them recognized for heroism, valor, and flawless execution of their missions. I could not be more proud of the men and women of the 352d SOG. 

"Our number one priority is to execute the Global War on Terror," the colonel said. "We are doing that today in 10 countries across Europe, Africa and Central Command. We will continue to be extremely busy in the foreseeable future. We will also continue to be a strong partner unit of Team Mildenhall." 

Colonel Jordan is a master navigator with more than 3,300 flying hours. He previously commanded the 17th Special Operations Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, and has held staff duty positions at U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. and at Headquarters AFSOC, Hurlburt Field, Fla. 

After more than three years in the 352nd SOG -- first as the deputy, and then as the commander -- Colonel Cutts leaves RAF Mildenhall for his new assignment at Headquarters AFSOC. 

The 352nd SOG's "Quiet Professionals" maintain a worldwide mobility commitment, execute contingency response taskings, participate in the European theater exercises as directed and support humanitarian and relief operations. Its five squadrons are all based at RAF Mildenhall. Two squadrons fly the MC-130H Combat Talon II and MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft. The 352nd SOG also includes a special tactics squadron, operations support squadron and maintenance squadron.