JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Col. Jeffrey DeVore took command of Joint Base Charleston during a change of command ceremony August 29, 2013, at Joint Base Charleston - Air Base. DeVore was previously the commander of the 386th Expeditionary Operations Group, Southwest Asia.
DeVore officially assumed command from the outgoing joint base commander, Col. Richard McComb. McComb will be assuming the duties at the Pentagon, Washington D.C.
DeVore is a graduate of Kent State University, Ohio, in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Airway Science Management and earned his commission through the ROTC program. He was awarded a Master of Science in Human Resource Development in 1997 from Abilene Christian University, Texas and a Master of Science in Mobility Operations while attending the Advanced Study of Air Mobility, Fort Dix, N.J. His staff assignments include tours as Chief, Joint Exercise Division at the NATO Joint Warfare Center in Norway, Aide de Camp and Executive Officer for the Director, Air National Guard and as Chief, Mobility Forces Programs, National Guard Bureau, at the Pentagon.
Operationally, he commanded the Air Force's first-ever active associate C-130 airlift squadron and also the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron. As a theater airlift aviator, he has flown numerous combat missions in direct support of Operations Safe Haven, Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Joint Endeavor, Joint Guard, Joint Forge, Allied Force, Shining Hope, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Joint Task Force Horn of Africa.
DeVore is a master navigator, having logged more than 4,000 hours in the C-130 Hercules.
As the JB Charleston commander, McComb provided installation support to a total force of more than 86,000 Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, civilians, dependents and retirees across both the Air Base and Weapons Station.
"Two years ago, when I assumed command of the 628th Air Base Wing, I pledged the wing would deliver on its motto of 'serving all,'" said McComb, addressing JB Charleston one last time. "The accomplishments we've shared since taking command are yours. It's the men and women of JB Charleston that truly delivered on that pledge. You all performed well and sacrificed much."
Brig. Gen. Randall Guthrie, mobilization assistant to the Commander, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., presided over the ceremony and highlighted the accomplishments of JB Charleston during McComb's tenure.
Under Col. McComb's leadership, JB Charleston became one of the premiere joint bases in the world, said Guthrie. Leading 53 tenant units, saving more than ten million dollars in 2012 alone and savinges lives through the DUI battle plan, bringing the number of DUI's down 30 percent; it's definitely a job well done .
Guthrie presented McComb with the Legion of Merit for his outstanding leadership. McComb than relinquished his command as the unit's guidon passed to DeVore.
After assuming command and receiving his first salute as the commanding officer of JB Charleston, DeVore said, "Strength will not be found in our words, but in our focus, in our compassion and in our professionalism."
"The challenges we face today are hard, but I like that. If it were easy, anyone could do it," added DeVore in his closing remarks. "Let's be great together."