CAFB holding change of command ceremony

Cannon Air Force Base personnel will mark a transition between commanders with a change of command ceremony at 3 p.m. today.

The incoming commander, Col. John Posner, was most recently stationed at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. The next assignment for the outgoing commander, Col. Robert Yates, will be to a different position at Langley where he is scheduled for promotion to brigadier general.

The ceremony will take place in Hangar 208 on base. Attendance is limited to Cannon personnel, invited guests, and others such as retirees and civilian employees with military identification cards that allow access to the base, according to 2nd Lt. Jennifer Geeslin, Cannon’s deputy chief of public affairs.

“If somebody has a sticker and has access to the base, they are more than welcome to come,” Geeslin said. “The hangar can only hold so many people, so they need to realize it may be standing room only.”

Geeslin recommended that those wishing to attend the ceremony plan to arrive by 2:30 p.m.

The central element of the change of command ceremony is the passing of the guidon, a small military flag representing the commander of the 27th Fighter Wing.

“The bottom line is Col. Yates is the commander until the guidon is passed; the guidon signifies the command of the base,” Geeslin said. “A change of command is a symbol of continuity of military tradition. It’s a proud, honored tradition that we look forward to participating in tomorrow.”