Larson takes command of 22nd Air Force

  • Published
  • By Matt Bailey, 22nd Air Force Public Affairs

Maj. Gen. Bret C. Larson took command of 22nd Air Force from Maj. Gen. John P. Healy during a ceremony at the Hangar 5, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia, July 10, 2021.

The ceremony was officiated by Lt. Gen. Richard W. Scobee, commander of Air Force Reserve Command and Chief of the Air Force Reserve.

Twenty-Second Air force is one of three numbered air forces in the Air Force Reserve Command. It’s a combat ready force comprised of more than 12,000 Reserve Citizen Airmen in 13 units at 30 locations across the U.S. Department of Defense.

Larson will be responsible for the Air Force Reserve’s tactical airlift capability provided by units flying the C-130 Hercules. In addition to airlift, 22nd AF units perform a variety of mission sets to include aeromedical evacuation, distinguished visitor airlift, undergraduate pilot training, civil engineering, flight test, joint planning, Basic Military Training and more.

He applauded Healy and his wife Cathy for their leadership and service to the Airmen of 22nd AF over the past two years, and welcomed their successors, Larson and his wife Lesley.

“I am confident that 22nd Air Force will continue to thrive under General Larson’s leadership,” said Scobee, to the many service members, civic leaders, families and guests in attendance.

Healy reflected upon the efforts of his staff during his tenure as 22nd Air Force commander.

“As anyone who has held command will tell you, your success is not determined by your own efforts, but by the monumental work of those who work for and with you,” he said. “Through unprecedented times, you have ensured that the NAF continued to effectively complete its mission and provided the support and expertise our units require.”

“While it is always bittersweet to leave command, it is made a little better in this case knowing that Brett is in good hands with a great team around him,” he added.

Larson is the former Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Air Education and Training Common at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. He was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force through the ROTC program at Iowa State University in 1988, and has flown the C-130 H/E and MQ-1 aircraft.

Larson also commanded the 404th and 409th Air Expeditionary Group, 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, 95th Airlift Squadron and served as the Vice Commander of the 914th Airlift wing. He credits his success in command to servant leadership.

“My desire to continue to serve is not to serve myself, my boss, General Scobee or higher headquarters, but to serve you, the Airmen of 22nd Air Force,” he said. “I look at it as my job to do everything in my power to make sure you have the equipment, training and motivation you need to be the best Airmen you can be and to be 100% ready to answer our nation’s call when needed.