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315th Maintenance Squadron gains new commander

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Michella Stowers
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

The 315th Maintenance Squadron welcomed its new commander, Maj. Erik A. Sowder, during an assumption of command ceremony on Feb. 1, 2025, at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. Col. Tabitha H. Potok, commander of the 315th Maintenance Group, presided over the ceremony. 

Outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Jason L. Brooks relinquished command of the 315 MXS during the ceremony.

A military tradition, the change of command ceremony symbolizes the transfer of authority and responsibility within a unit. The guidon displayed during the ceremony reflect the unit's history, traditions, and accomplishments. The passing of the guidon from the outgoing commander to the incoming commander ensures that the unit and its members are always under official leadership. This time-honored ritual signifies the continuity of trust and the unwavering loyalty of Airmen to their commander.

Sowder began his Air Force career in May 2009 through Reserve Officer Training Corps at Purdue University. After completing the Air Force’s Intelligence Officer Training School in February 2011, he held various intelligence positions, including assignments at National Security Agency Georgia at Fort Gordon in Augusta, GA. As an intelligence officer, Sowder led signal intelligence collection, analysis, and reporting to support both national and tactical decision-making. He served in key roles such as joint watch officer, Provincial Reconstruction Team S2 in Lagham, Afghanistan, and Distributed Common Ground System flight commander overseeing more than 200 U-2 “Dragon Lady” intelligence-gathering missions. He also served as an NSA Branch Chief.

After departing active duty in 2015, Sowder joined the Air Force Reserve in 2019 as an aircraft maintenance officer at Joint Base Charleston. Following completion of aircraft maintenance officer school, he served as the Avionics Section officer in charge. Prior to assuming his current role, Maj. Sowder served as the Aircraft Maintenance Unit officer in charge with the 315th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.