Brig. Gen. Otis C. Jones salutes his airmen during the 86th Airlift Wing change of command ceremony on Friday, July 15, 2022, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Jones took command from Brig. Gen. Josh M. Olson, who is moving on to an assignment at the Pentagon after leading the wing for nearly two years. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — The new commander of the largest Air Force wing in Europe and Africa pledged his very best Friday to the 8,000 airmen now in his command.
“We’re going to give you everything we’ve got … in supporting you and your families,” Brig. Gen. Otis Jones said, referring to himself and his wife, Nataki.
Jones is a seasoned commander and mobility pilot who has flown the C-130E and J model cargo planes, as well as the C-17A and C-12J. He’s also an accomplished former college basketball player, which was noted by speakers as he took charge of the 86th Airlift Wing at a ceremony inside a hangar on Ramstein’s flight line Friday.
Three Air Force generals led airmen in the Air Force Song at the close of the 86th Airlift Wings change of command ceremony at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on July 15, 2022. They are, from left to right, Maj. Gen. Derek C. France, 3rd Air Force commander; Brig. Gen. Otis C. Jones, the new 86th Airlift Wing commander; and Brig. Gen. Josh M. Olson, the outgoing wing commander, who is headed to the Pentagon. (Michael Abams/Stars and Stripes)
It’s Jones’ second assignment in Germany. From 2011 to 2013, he commanded the 726th Air Mobility Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base. He also led the 374th Airlift Wing at Yokota Air Base in Japan for two years.
His last assignment was vice superintendent at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. With 2,003 points scored during a collegiate career lasting from 1991 to 1995, he also is the Falcons’ second-highest all-time scorer, according to the Air Force.
“He sees command, is what he shared with me, as similar to running point guard on a basketball team,” Maj. Gen. Derek France, 3rd Air Force commander, said of Jones, a job that calls for assisting and empowering airmen, “putting up ferocious defense, rebounding ... and scoring when required.”
Staff Sgt. Francina Matos of the 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron changes out the name on the new wing commander’s C-130 at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Brig. Gen. Otis C. Jones took command of the 86th Airlift Wing at a ceremony on Friday, July 15, 2022. (Michael Abams/Stars and Stripes)
Jones takes over from Brig. Gen. Josh Olson, who “led under some significant challenges,” France said. During Olson’s two years, he saw the wing through the early days of the pandemic as well as Ramstein’s support for more than 34,000 refugees from Afghanistan following the collapse in August 2021 of the country’s U.S.-backed government.
“Shortly after the dust settled from that,” Russia invaded Ukraine, and Ramstein’s “mobility machine … continues to deliver thousands of pounds of critical infrastructure, humanitarian supplies and military equipment to our Ukraine partners,” France said.
Ramstein also was named the Defense Department’s best Air Force installation in 2022, earning a $1.25 million prize for the base.
“What a ride,” said Olson, who is moving on to the Pentagon as the global reach programs director at the office of the assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisitions, technology and logistics. He thanked airmen and fellow commanders for the friendship and support given to him and his wife, Barb, “through the highs and the lows of this Ramstein journey.
“And quite a journey it has been,” he said.
Airmen with the 86th Airlift Wing sit in the bleachers inside a hangar at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on July 15, 2022, to welcome a new commander. Brig. Gen. Otis C. Jones took command of the wing at a ceremony, taking over from Brig. Gen. Josh M. Olson. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)
