AL UDEID AIR BASE, QATAR -- U.S. Air Force Col. Joshua Koslov assumed command of the 609th Air Operations Center from U.S. Air Force Col. Frederick A. “Trey” Coleman III during a change of command ceremony at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, May 27.
During the ceremony, the presiding officer, U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Greg Guillot, 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central) commander, thanked Coleman for his accomplishment over his tenure.
“It’s been two years of warfighting with significant transitions,” said Guillot. “I have no doubt that he is proud of the team’s accomplishments, and he should be. I am sure he will look back at this command tour as a truly rewarding assignment, and he leaves an outstanding group of elite professionals that are ready to tackle any challenge. ”
The Airmen of the 609th AOC work alongside joint and international partners from 18 nations to plan, produce, and execute the daily Air Tasking Order on behalf of Guillot, who also serves as the Combined Forces Air Component Commander. This Coalition presence is what makes the AOC a Combined AOC or CAOC.
“I want to say thanks to the CAOC team,” said Coleman. “To all the men and women that make this organization what it is. As much as I love all of our fancy equipment, that’s not the CAOC. The CAOC is all of you. You are the people that spend all of your waking hours, planning, producing, and executing the Air Tasking Order. Without you, we’d be nothing.”
Coleman also praised his successor as the perfect officer to continue the CAOC mission.
“Finally, I want to tell you this: I could not have asked for a better successor than Col. Josh Koslov. He’s passionate about our mission, and he’s passionate about you. Under his leadership, with this team, you all are going to have an amazing year.”
As he takes the reins of the 609th AOC, Koslov will be able to leverage his previous AOC and deployment experiences. The colonel most recently served as the Strategy, Plans and Strategic Competition Division Chief for Pacific Air Forces at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
“Josh certainly has the credentials necessary for this job and comes to the team well-versed in joint warfare, having twice commanded the 43rd Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron under AFCENT, as well as numerous other deployments,” said Guillot.
In his remarks, Koslov acknowledged the challenge and accepted the solemn responsibilities of AOC leadership.
“I look forward to both the opportunities and the challenges that are ahead of us for the next year,” said Koslov. “I’m excited to take the team that is here today and continue the fight against all of our nation’s enemies, as we continue to excel on great levels. I look forward to doing all that in an environment of dignity, respect and compassion.”