496th ABS realigns under 65th ABG

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Devin M. Rumbaugh
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MORÓN AIR BASE, Spain --  Members of the 86th Airlift Wing visited Morón Air Base, Spain, to realign the 496th Air Base Squadron from under the 86th Operations Group, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, to the 65th Air Base Group, Lajes Field, Portugal, 1 April.

“The heartbeat of this organization is being part of the North-Atlantic bridge,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mark R. August, 86th AW commander. “When you look at that bridge, and how we project power from the east coast of the United States, into Eastern Europe, into Africa, and how we assure our partners here in NATO, we do that from Morón. But there’s another organization under the 86th AW that has the same mission set. And that’s the 65th ABG. Organizing the 496th under the 65th ABG just makes sense.”

During the ceremony, U.S. Air Force Col. James Young, 86th OG commander, transferred authority of the 496th ABS to August, who then transferred authority to Col. Travis Leighton, 65th ABG commander.


Although the authority of the unit switched from the 86th OG at Ramstein AB to the 65th ABG at Lajes Field, the 496th ABS will remain at Morón AB.

“Whether it’s with joint partners with the U.S. Marine Corps, bilateral relations with the Spanish, or now, evolving the mission to a multi-lateral with the 65th ABG and the Portuguese, it’s time to make a transition. The heartbeat and foundation will be all of you,” said August.