Heithold assumes command of Air Force ISR Agency

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Amber Cargile
  • Air Force ISR Agency Public Affairs
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) --  Maj. Gen. Bradley A. Heithold assumed command of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency from Maj. Gen. John C. Koziol in a ceremony here Feb. 11.

Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula, deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance at the Pentagon, presided over the change of command ceremony, held on Lackland's historic "Security Hill."

General Heithold, who recently served as director of plans, programs, requirements and assessments for Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Fla., said he looks forward to leading the men and women of the agency through continued mission excellence.

"There is no question that intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities are particularly important to today's joint operations," General Heithold said. "They are identified as a specific goal in the Air Force's 2008 Strategic Plan. We'll do everything in our power to bolster ISR support for joint operations."

Immediately following the change of command, Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, commander, U.S. Strategic Command, officiated the promotion of General Koziol to the rank of lieutenant general. General Koziol served as commander of Air Force ISR Agency and the collocated Joint Information Operations Warfare Command since October 2005. He is being reassigned as deputy under secretary of defense (Intelligence) for joint and coalition warfighter support at the Pentagon.

The afternoon's events also included a relinquishment of command for the JIOWC, which is aligned under U.S. Strategic Command. Previously, the Air Force ISR Agency commander also served as the JIOWC commander, but now the two units will have separate commanders. General Chilton accepted the JIOWC guidon at the ceremony and will lead the command until a new commander is announced.

The Air Force ISR Agency is headquartered here. The agency's 14,900 people serve at 72 locations worldwide. The agency's mission is to organize, train, equip and present assigned forces and capabilities to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for the combatant commanders and the nation. 

The agency also oversees execution of the Headquarters Air Force ISR policy and guidance and helps ensure ISR capabilities meet current and future challenges for the service.

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