Nellis welcomes new USAF Warfare Center commander

by Senior Airman Jack Sanders
99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

7/24/2012 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Maj. Gen. Jeffrey G. Lofgren assumed command and responsibilities of the United States Air Force Warfare Center from Maj. Gen. James W. "Bill" Hyatt during a change of command ceremony July 20 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. General Mike Hostage, commander of Air Combat Command, presided over the ceremony.

Lofgren's objectives as the USAFWC commander are to focus on tactics, testing and training. Lofgren said the USAFWC's goals will be to, "focus on excellence, because that's what's demanded out there."

The new commander's motto is "It's all about teamwork," and he wants everyone to remember it.
"We are a team, and we're going to work together to make that happen. That team is not only our Air Force family, but our joint family," Lofgren said.

The mission of the USAFWC is to shape the way the U.S. Air Force fights through advanced training, operational testing and tactics development in air, space and cyberspace at the operational and tactical levels of war. To execute its mission, the USAFWC oversees the operations of the 57th Wing; 99th Air Base Wing; the Nevada Test and Training Range; the 53rd Wing at Eglin AFB, Fla.; and the 505th Command and Control Wing at Hurlburt Field, Fla. The USAFWC oversees approximately 11,000 active-duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve service members and civilians located in 21 states and 31 different locations.

The USAFWC Airmens' responsibilities may seem overwhelming at times, Lofgren said, but we can accomplish them.

"We must have a 'can-do' attitude if we're going to get things done, and we will at the warfare center," he added. "We can make it happen, and you guys are the right folks to do that."

Hyatt welcomed his successor by welcoming him to the "coolest assignment you'll ever have" and thanked Gen. Mike Hostage, commander of Air Combat Command, for the opportunity to lead the men and women here.

"To the men and women of the warfare center, you guys rock," Hyatt said. "Thank you very much for what you do, keep doing it. Do not forget that our number one job is warfare. Keep your eye on the ball."

He also asked that they provide the same support to Lofgren as they did for him.

Hostage, presiding official, said it was a pleasure to be at Nellis, the "tactical crown jewel of the Unite States Air Force," in the presence of the men and women of the US AFWC.

"I last saw [Lofgren] only a year ago when I presided over his assumption of command of the critical
missions supporting our nation's efforts in the Middle East and the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing," Hostage said. "He was the right leader then, and he is the right leader now. There was never any doubt in my mind when presented with the list of candidates who I wanted to pick."

Lofgren is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flight hours in the F-16, KC-10 and training aircraft. Most recently, he was the commander of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia.