Change of command coming for Cannon AFB

Cannon Air Force Base Commander Col. Stephen Clark will pass leadership of the 27th Special Operations Wing to Col. Albert Elton II during a change of command ceremony Friday morning.

Clark, who has been selected to the grade of brigadier general, took command of Cannon in May 2009, nearly two years after the wing stood up at Cannon on Oct. 1, 2007.

Lt. Gen. Eric Fiel, the Air Force Special Operations Command commander, will officiate the ceremony.

Clark’s next assignment is as director of plans, programs, requirements and assessments at Air Force Special Operations Command headquarters at Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Elton is a 1989 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and a command pilot with more than 4,200 flying hours. He has commanded special operations forces at the squadron and expeditionary group levels and has held several flying and staff positions within Air Force Special Operations Command and United States Special Operations Command.

Elton was born in Fort Rucker, Ala., and most recently served as commander of the 1st Special Operations Group.

Cannon’s change of command comes on the heels of command changing hands for all of Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field in Florida during a ceremony on June 24.

Fiel assumed command of AFSOC, replacing retiring Lt. Gen. Donald Wurster.