13th AF welcomes new commander, transforms into component headquarters

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Charles Ramey
  • 13th Air Force Public Affairs
A one-year transformation of command and control of air, space and information operations in the Pacific ended here recently as 13th Air Force officially began operations as a component numbered air force headquarters and welcomed a new commander.

Former Pacific Air Forces Deputy Commander, Lt. Gen. Loyd S. "Chip" Utterback, assumed command of the unit Oct. 6, replacing Maj. Gen. Edward A. Rice, Jr., who had commanded 13th Air Force from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and Hickam since January 2005.

Previously designated as a management headquarters, 13th Air Force is now one of 10 organizations designed to enhance the operational level support, planning, command, control and execution of air, space and information operations capabilities across the full range of military operations throughout the U.S. Pacific Command's area of responsibility (minus the Korea theater of operations).

"We moved Headquarters, 13th Air Force from Andersen to Hickam more than a year ago to provide a core building block for Pacific Air Forces' new operational-level headquarters," said General Rice, now vice commander of Pacific Air Forces. "We have already accomplished a great deal during this transition period and I am confident the increased command and control capability this headquarters brings to the Pacific region will continue to be of great value to U.S. Pacific Command in the years ahead."

Headquarters, 13th Air Force has more than 650 permanently assigned military and civilian personnel serving at Hickam Air Force Base. The unit is also directly responsible for two Air Force wings, the 15th Airlift Wing, also located at Hickam, and the 36th Wing at Andersen Air Force Base.

"Hickam serves as the nerve center for Pacific air and space power," said General Utterback. "The new component construct gives the commanders of U.S. Pacific Air Forces and U.S. Pacific Command a 24/7 combat capability and a standing organization to immediately place additional forces under to execute operations in support of theater and national objectives."

With any new organization comes changes, and 13th Air Force is no different. During ceremonies Oct. 6, five units, the 502nd Air Operations Group, 56th Air and Space Operations Squadron, 56th Air and Space Plans Squadron, 26th Air and Space Intelligence Squadron, and the Pacific Air Forces Air Mobility Operations Control Center, were inactivated as two new units, the 613th Air and Space Operations Center and the 613th Support Group were activated.

"Making these changes brings us in line with the Air Force's vision for the component organization and allows us to better command, control and employ joint air and space forces across the full spectrum of peacetime and potential combat operations. We will be more effective, efficient and lethal in employment of airpower," General Utterback said.

With a core of more than 200 assigned personnel, the 613th AOC is responsible for one the Air Force's five fully-capable air and space operations centers. In case of a contingency that requires additional manning, the 613th AOC has trained Air National Guard augmentation forces that can be in place in a very short time and can source further manning from the active force as required.

The 613th Support Group maintains a consolidated commander's support staff providing personnel support for the entire headquarters; an operational support flight providing facility, training, readiness, and security management; and has two subordinate units: the 56th Air and Space Communications Squadron and the 17th Operational Weather Squadron.

The remainder of Headquarters, 13th Air Force, is part of the commander's Air Force Forces staff. Organized functionally with a command section, personal staff and A-staff, the AFFOR staff supports the 13th Air Force commander in his role as the senior U.S. Air Force component commander within a joint force.

According to General Utterback, 13th Air Force presents the commander of U.S. Pacific Command with state of the art capabilities to conduct his mission. "Our friends and allies in this region can sleep better because, regardless of the situation, America's Airmen are ready."