Sullivan takes command of 415th SOS

The 415th Special Operations Squadron has new leadership.

Lt. Col. Joey Sullivan took the 415th Special Operations Squadron guidon during a change of command ceremony here Dec. 14.

Col. Richard Carrell, 58th Operations Group commander, was the presiding officer.

Sullivan takes command of the 415th SOS after serving as the squadron’s operations officer.

“This formation made up of men and women [who] are incredible. What they do is risky. And I want to take the opportunity to honor them. Because they’re our brothers and sisters, our mothers and fathers, sons and daughters and our friends,” Sullivan said, addressing his troops, in his first remarks as their commander.

The outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Aaron Griffith, reflected upon his time serving with his Airmen during his parting remarks.

“I can’t possibly express to you the honor it is to stand before you today. How incredible lucky I am to have served and to serve with this wings very best Airmen,” said Griffith. “This command has been an experience of a lifetime. I feel truly blessed to have been surrounded everyday by the best and brightest and most talented people this country has to offer.”

Griffith now heads to the parent 58th Special Operations Wing, where he will serve as a special projects officer.

The squadron, flying the MC-130J aircraft, is charged with training, developing and professionalizing the nation’s future special operations forces and personnel recovery Airmen and institutionalizing the formal training unit. 

The Air Force change of command ceremony is a military tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a unit from one commanding officer to another.