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New commander at 618th Air and Space Operations Center

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Marshel Slater
  • 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center Public Affairs
Scott Air Force Base, Ill. --  The 618th Air and Space Operations Center (Tanker Airlift Control Center), Air Mobility Command's hub for worldwide airlift, air refueling and aeromedical evacuation, received new leadership July 21 as Maj. Gen. Sam Cox relinquished command of the 618th AOC (TACC) to Brig. Gen. Carlton D. "Dewey" Everhart II during a change of command ceremony at Scott Air Force Base.

Cox, who led the 618th AOC (TACC) since July 2010, will work as the Director of Strategy, Policy, Programs, and Logistics, U.S. Transportation Command, at Scott. At USTRANSCOM he will be responsible for strategic planning, force programming and policy development to ensure war fighter readiness and the capability to meet current, projected, and emerging requirements.

Everhart arrived at Scott in June 2010 to be the 618th AOC (TACC) vice commander, and in accepting the guidon and his new responsibilities July 21, he becomes the 15th commander of the 618th AOC (TACC).

The change of command took place at the Scott Club in front of a large crowd, where 618th AOC (TACC) members welcomed Everhart as their new commander and noting his contributions to global mobility operations, said goodbye to Cox. Lt. Gen. Robert Allardice, 18th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony.

Allardice commended the 618th AOC (TACC) on an extraordinary year, praised Cox and his family for the care and concern they had for the TACC family, and expressed confidence in Everhart's expertise and credentials to lead the organization.

Cox said, "Members of the TACC make miracles happen every day. The past year has arguably been one of the busiest in TACC history. I have seen them provide aid to victims displaced by natural disasters around the world, provide thousands of tons of high-priority cargo and millions of pounds of fuel to extend the Air Force's global reach. I could not be more proud of this organization and I am sincerely honored to have had the opportunity to command such an exceptional team at during such a critical time."

The 618th AOC (TACC), at Scott schedules and directs a fleet of nearly 1,300 mobility aircraft in support of strategic airlift, air refueling, and aeromedical evacuation operations around the world. As an Air and Space Operations Center at war, the 618th AOC (TACC) is heavily engaged in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn, ensuring the swift and reliable deployment, re-deployment, and sustainment of U.S. and coalition forces.

While under Cox's command, the 618th AOC (TACC) was responsible for more than 110,000 sorties, delivering more than 2 million passengers and 761,000 tons of cargo to worldwide locations. The 618th AOC (TACC) also performed nearly 20,000 aeromedical evacuation patient movements and delivered more than 387 million pounds of fuel via air-to-air refueling during Cox's tenure. These operations include thousands of sorties ranging from support to humanitarian operations in the wake of natural disasters, to the swift and on-going air mobility support to troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"One of the nice things is that General Everhart has been in that office next door for the last year," said Cox. "So there is good continuity as we do this transition. I know the TACC will be in good hands."

Everhart steps into the seat as commander with an extensive background of both the 618th AOC (TACC) and air mobility operations. He was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1983, and started his career as an airlift pilot. The general has held various aircrew flying assignments in the C-130E, C-17A and C-21A. He was the Air Force aide to the president and has commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels. Everhart also served at Headquarters Air Education and Training Command as the Inspector General and the Deputy Director of Intelligence, Operations and Nuclear Integration for Flying Training.

"Last year I was excited to be assigned to the TACC as the vice commander," said Everhart. "I am even more thrilled to have the opportunity to lead such an extraordinary organization as the commander. It's been a blessing to have gained the experience I have in the last year."

Everhart thanked Cox for his leadership, camaraderie, and vision, and wished him the best in his new job. He addressed the 618th AOC (TACC) and encouraged them to continue leaning forward and excelling in their important roles that make a positive impact around the world.

"I look forward to working with everyone to continue to provide for air mobility forces as they operate around the globe," said Everhart. "I am both honored and humbled to be the new commander."