USCENTAF to become USAFCENT with redesignation

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SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AFPN) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces will be renamed U.S. Air Forces Central in a March 3 ceremony at Shaw Air Force Base.

The official date of the change is March 1 as and Lt. Gen. Gary L. North, the USAFCENT and 9th Air Force commander, will preside over the ceremony in Hangar 1,200 at 9:09 a.m here. 

The ceremony will include the inactivation of the 609th Air Intelligence Group, 609th Air Intelligence Squadron, 609th Combat Operations Squadron, 609th Combat Plans Squadron, 609th Air Support Squadron and the 609th Information Operations Flight. Also during the ceremony, the redesignation and assumption of command of the 609th Air Operations Group to the 609th Air Operations Center, which forms the core of the Combined Air and Space Operations Center, and the 609th Air Operations Center, Det. 1 will take place. In addition, Det. 5, U.S. Air Forces Central will activate and there will be an assumption of command.

This redesignation effort marks the implementation of the chief of staff of the Air Force's direction to establish an Air Force component organization that is structured to operate and train every day in its wartime configuration. Warfighting organizations are being stood up around the globe 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.

USAFCENT is responsible for air operations, either unilaterally or in concert with coalition partners, and developing contingency plans in support of national objectives for USCENTCOM's 27-nation area of responsibility in Southwest Asia.

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