An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Fontanella passes torch to Gilmour during 315 AW ceremony

  • Published
  • By Capt. Michaela Judge
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. --  Col. Greg Gilmour assumed command of the 315th Airlift Wing from Col. James Fontanella during a change of command ceremony April 11, 2015 at the base theater at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina.

Gilmour was previously the commander of the 916th Air Refueling Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina, and Fontanella, outgoing commander, is headed to Robins Air Force Base, Georgia as the commander of the Force Generation Center.

Maj. Gen. John C. Flournoy, Jr., commander 4th Air Force, presided over the ceremony and highlighted the accomplishments of the 315th AW during Fontanella's tenure.

"To the warriors of the 315th, I want to thank each and every one of you for your tireless efforts and the incredible sacrifices you make every day for your nation," said Flournoy. "Thank you for answering the call to serve. Every day when you wear this uniform you're sacrificing time away from your family, your loved ones and your employer."

Fontanella's leadership and dedication were also recognized by Flournoy during the event.

"Jamie, first off let me start by saying, well done. Well done. Thank you for your countless hours of dedicated leadership," said Flournoy. "I know that you poured your heart and soul into the 315th, and we'll be forever grateful to you leading your team of superstars and your Charleston teammates, from the other services organizations through sequestration, civilian furlough, government shutdown, the first Air Force Reserve Command Unit Effectiveness Inspection, winning the first ever Tech. Sgt. Anthony C. Campbell Jr. Award for having the best mission support group in 4th Air Force, and multiple other accomplishments, while at the same time running the day to day operations of an airlift wing."

Flournoy also thanked and recognized Fontanella for his accomplishments while deployed to Southwest Asia as the operations division chief for the Central Command Deployment and Distribution Center.

Before relinquishing command, Col. Fontanella shared some parting words with the Airmen of the 315th Airlift Wing.

"I look out at the audience and I see not only a full theater, the best Reserve wing in the world, I see a snapshot of what the reserve capability means to our country in 2015...You're doing what AFRC is asking. Col. Gilmour...you are getting an incredible wing. But you already know that. It's been a great ride, thank you all - I will miss you all," said Fontanella.

After assuming command, which was symbolized by the passing of the wing's flag, Col. Gilmour shared his excitement with the audience about joining the 315th team.

"I'm extremely proud to be your commander. I'll work very hard to continue that tradition," he said.

Gilmour is no stranger to Charleston. In 1986 he began his military career as a graduate of The Citadel and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps. He spent 13 years as a naval aviator, including three shipboard deployments, before joining the Air Force Reserve in 1999.

Gilmour has served tours of duty in the Mediterranean for Operations Desert Shield/Storm, as well as numerous deployments to the Caribbean and Pacific for counter-drug interdiction. He was also deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Northern Watch, and as Commander of the 90th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, Incirlik Airbase, Turkey.

Gilmour is a command pilot with more than 4,000 hours in the T-34, TH-57 A/C, SH-2F, SH-60B, and the KC-135R/T/RT aircraft.

During his speech, Gilmour emphasized not only that people are the Air Force's biggest asset, but the important role family members play in making the Reserve mission possible.

"Without them you wouldn't be able to do this," he said.

Closing the ceremony Gilmour gave the following words, "I look forward to meeting and working with all of you. Thank you for your service to your country. God bless."