CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
The 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony June 30 at Nose Dock 2.
Maj. Jonathan Downing, who is a recent graduate of the Naval Command and Staff College in Newport, R.I., where he was a distinguished graduate and earned a master's degree in National Security and Strategic Studies, replaced Lt. Col. Gerald McCray as commander.
Colonel McCray will assume the duties at the Pentagon where he will work on the Joint Staff in the J-5 Middle East Division.
Major Downing is from Sewickley, Pa., and graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., and was commissioned into the Air Force in May 1996.
What jobs did you perform before you became commander?
My first assignment was at Nellis AFB, Nev., where I held numerous jobs including aircraft ground equipment flight officer in charge, Viper aircraft maintenance unit assistant officer in charge and chief of Red Flag Maintenance and Munitions. I then went to Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, where I earned a master's degree in Logistics Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology and then worked in the C-17 System Program office, now called the Systems Group, where I was an avionics integrated logistics support manager and the C-17 System Program Director executive officer. Following that, I was stationed at McChord AFB, where I was the 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Blue AMU officer in charge and maintenance operations officer. Next, I went to Scott AFB, Ill., where I was the Air Mobility Command C-17 Weapon System Manager. Most recently, I came from Newport, R.I., where I was a student at the Naval Command and Staff College.
What are your initial plans as the new commander?
My initial plans are to get to know the people and the processes in the squadron. Given the squadron's large size and 24/7 nature of flightline operations, getting to know all the people will definitely be a challenge. I also plan to discuss my commitments to and expectations of the members in the squadron during Commander's Calls.
What is the goal and mission of your agency?
The mission of this squadron is the generation, inspection, maintenance and sustainment of 59 C-17 aircraft valued at more than $11.4 billion supporting AMC's worldwide strategic airlift objectives. The goal of our squadron is to generate safe and reliable aircraft for our aircrews every time and to ensure the long-term health of our aircraft.
What are your expectations of your Airmen?
The expectations I have of my Airmen are the same expectations I have of myself, "Do the right thing the first time, every time, even when no one is looking." This is a simple phrase but encompasses so many different things including safety, technical order compliance, adherence to the Air Force's core values, customs and courtesies, etc.
What was your most memorable assignment and why?
My most memorable assignment was Wright-Patterson AFB because I met and married my wife there. We celebrated the birth of our first child there as well.
What is an interesting fact about you?
I played Australian Rules Football for three years.
What is your favorite movie?
The Lord of the Rings trilogy
What is one of your biggest pet peeves?
Complaining without offering a solution or not even thinking about how to solve the problem.
What is your favorite quote?
"No man is fit to command another that cannot command himself." - William Penn
Who is your role model and why?
As a Christian, my role model is Jesus Christ. As an Air Force officer, I don't have one specific role model but have many senior leaders and mentors that I look up to and seek their advice.