MANDA BAY AIRFIELD, Kenya -- U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Phillip Ferris assumed command of the 475th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron during a change of command ceremony at Manda Bay Airfield, Kenya, May 9. During the ceremony, presided over by Col. Matthew Bartlett, commander of the 449th Air Expeditionary Group, Lt. Col. Drew Gehler relinquished command of the 475th EABS to Ferris.
The 475th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron, a part of the 435th Air Expeditionary Wing, provides base operations and communications support for 13 mission partners enabling Special Operations Command Africa missions in Kenya and Somalia. Together, with African and international partners, they help provide a secure, stable, and prosperous Africa.