940th Air Refueling Wing gets active-duty commander

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tara R. Abrahams
  • 940th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

The 940th Air Refueling Wing has had a total of 28 commanders since it began in 1963, all of whom were Air Force reservists, until this past weekend. Col. Jeffrey Downs, an active-duty officer, assumed command of the 940th Air Refueling Wing during a ceremony January 12, 2020, at Beale Air Force Base, California.

When active-duty members work hand-in-hand with reservist or guard units, it is called Total Force Integration. Downs is no stranger to this, nor the Reserve. He began working with the 940 ARW when he took command of the 940th Operations Group in July of 2018.

“Nobody does total force better than the Air Force,” said Maj. Gen. Randall A. Ogden, 4th Air Force commander at March Air Reserve Base, California.

Ogden said this was his first time to put an active-duty commander in charge of a Reserve wing, but spoke highly of Downs’s experience and confidence is his new position.

“I could not think of a finer leader to lead the men and women of 940th,” the presiding official said. “This is a great total force effort.”

After the guidon was handed to Downs, signifying him taking command, he took a moment to speak to the members of the wing. He began by giving thanks to all who have supported him and the members of the 940 ARW for all they do, then explained his message and expectations as commander.

“We’re here for one purpose and one purpose only: to defend the freedoms of our nation,” Downs said. “There are three simple things we need to do in order to serve.”

Downs expressed his priorities in the form of questions: Can you do your job? Can you do the nuclear mission? And can you do your job anywhere in the world? He gave details as to why each is so important and shared his confidence in the 940 ARW to continue on the right path.

“If you can do those three things, you absolutely cannot fail.”