New 7th AF commander assumes command

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Battles
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The leadership of 7th Air Force changed hands during a change-of-command ceremony here Jan. 6.

Lt. Gen. Jan-Marc Jouas assumed command from Lt. Gen. Jeffrey A. Remington as Army Gen. James D. Thurman, the U.S. Forces Korea commander, and Gen. Gary L. North, the Pacific Air Forces commander, presided over the ceremony.

As the 7th AF commander, Jouas assumes the roles of deputy commander, United Nations Command Korea; deputy commander, U.S. Forces Korea; commander, Air Component Command, Republic of Korea/U.S. Combined Forces Command; and commander, 7th Air Force, Pacific Air Forces, Osan Air Base, South Korea.

Jouas is also the U.S. representative to the joint committee for the Status of Forces agreement between United States and South Korea. Jouas previously served as the director of Operations, Plans, Requirements and Programs, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

Upon assuming command, members of the 7th AF rendered their first salute to the new commander.

"Fellow Airmen, I am honored to serve as your commander, and proud to be a member of this team of warriors," Jouas said. "I have the utmost confidence that each and every one of you is prepared to execute our mission and ready, willing, and able to fight and win tonight."

The general also said the 7th Air Force will remain committed to the US-Republic of Korea alliance through mission readiness and never forgetting the many sacrifices made by the airmen, soldiers, sailors and marines of both nations.

"Together, we will uphold that tradition and our readiness to take on and defeat the enemy whenever and wherever the battle takes place," Jouas said. "We will dedicate ourselves to improve what is already the world's most elite combined airpower. We will do all this, because our nations' deserve nothing less than our very best efforts."

Before relinquishing command, Remington addressed Airmen one final time as commander and active-duty service member. He expressed his full trust and confidence in the abilities of the 7th Air Force's 32nd commander since November of 1940.

"While my wife Machelle and I promise to actively support all Air Force activities on the peninsula, our work here is now done," he said. "But the mission carries on. Lt Gen Jouas, and his wife Marion, will now lead this fight. They have followed us three times now. Trust me, I know they are ready."
During the ceremony, members of the 7th AF unveiled the F-16 Fighting Falcon that will display Jouas's name throughout his command tenure.

Jouas replaces Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Remington, who retires after 34 years of service March 1.

(Maj Eric Badger, 7th Air Force Public Affairs, contributed to this article)