PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Florida -- Col. John Dobbin will assume command of the 920th Rescue Wing from Col. Kurt Matthews during a change of command ceremony at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019 inside Hangar 750 at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida.
The 920th Rescue Wing is the only Air Force Reserve Command combat-search-and-rescue wing. The wing trains and equips approximately 2,000 Airmen who carry out its mission, to search for, locate and recover U.S. Armed Forces personnel during military operations. In addition, 920th Reserve Citizen Airmen work closely with the 45th Space Wing, NASA and commercial space agencies, providing safety and security of the Eastern Range during Space Coast launches.
The 920th Rescue Wing is comprised of 23 subordinate groups and squadrons, including three geographically separated units—one at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, one at Portland, Oregon, and one at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.
The wing is responsible for a demanding and compelling array of missions, and the men and women who serve here must maintain a high level of proficiency and be ready to deploy at moment’s notice. In addition to supporting the space program, the unit’s other peacetime missions include search-and-rescue support for civilians in distress at sea, in the desert or upon mountains. The wing also provides worldwide humanitarian relief, supporting rescue efforts in the aftermath of disasters such as hurricanes, floods and earthquakes.
Col. John Dobbin entered the Air Force in May 1997 as a graduate of Florida Southern College. He has held operational, command and staff positions encompassing conventional and special activities in support of numerous named Department of Defense, State Department and interagency operations. Prior to his current position as Officer to the Chief of Air Force Reserve and Commander Air Force Reserve Command, he was Assistant Deputy Director, Joint Staff J5 Strategy, Plans and Policy – Africa.
Col. Matthew’s will next serve as the Vice Commander of 22nd Air Force at Dobbins Air Force Reserve Base, Georgia.
Media interested in covering this event should contact the 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs Office at 321-494-0536 or 920RQW.PA@us.af.mil.