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449th Air Expeditionary Group Change of Responsibility

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Turknett, 449th Air Expeditionary Group senior enlisted leader, gives his first remarks after the 449th AEG Change of Responsibility ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 18, 2026. The 449th AEG provides personnel recovery task forces, intra-theater airlift, base operating support integrator, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, and aircraft launch and recovery elements in support of U.S. Central Command and U.S. Africa Command mission requirements, including support to regional partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis Gomez)

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449th Air Expeditionary Group Change of Responsibility

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Turknett, 449th Air Expeditionary Group senior enlisted leader, center, accepts responsibility of the 449th AEG senior enlisted position during a Change of Responsibility ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 18, 2026. The Change of Responsibility ceremony represents a formal transfer of responsibility from one senior enlisted leader to another, reinforcing their authority in the Air Force and support to the chain of command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis Gomez)

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449th Air Expeditionary Group Change of Responsibility

U.S. Air Force Col. Kris Aikens, 449th Air Expeditionary Group commander, left, U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Nicholas Siburt, 449th AEG outgoing senior enlisted leader, center, and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Turknett, 449th AEG inbound senior enlisted leader, right, sit on stage during the Group Change of Responsibility ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, June 18, 2026. The 449th AEG serves as the Joint Air Component Coordination Element to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and in partnership with joint, interagency, intergovernmental, and multinational teammates, the 449th AEG also engages in theater security cooperation activities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis Gomez)

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449th Air Expeditionary Group Change of Responsibility

U.S. Air Force Honor Guard presents the Colors during the 449th Air Expeditionary Group Change of Responsibility ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 18, 2026. The 449th AEG serves as the Joint Air Component Coordination Element to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and in partnership with joint, interagency, intergovernmental, and multinational teammates, the 449th AEG also engages in theater security cooperation activities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis Gomez)

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449th Air Expeditionary Group Change of Responsibility

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Turknett, 449th Air Expeditionary Group senior enlisted leader, looks at the crowd following the 449th AEG Change of Responsibility ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 18, 2026. The Change of Responsibility ceremony represents a formal transfer of responsibility from one senior enlisted leader to another, reinforcing their authority in the Air Force and support to the chain of command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis Gomez)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
449th Air Expeditionary Group Change of Responsibility

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Nicholas Siburt, 449th Air Expeditionary Group outgoing senior enlisted leader, presents the guidon to U.S. Air Force Col. Kris Aikens, 449th AEG commander, left, during a Change of Responsibility ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 18, 2026. The Change of Responsibility Ceremony represents a formal transfer of responsibility from one senior enlisted leader to another, reinforcing their authority in the Air Force and support to the chain of command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis Gomez)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
449th Air Expeditionary Group Change of Responsibility

U.S. Air Force Honor Guard march out to present the Colors at the start of the 449th Air Expeditionary Group Change of Responsibility ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 18, 2026. The 449th AEG serves as the Joint Air Component Coordination Element to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and in partnership with joint, interagency, intergovernmental, and multinational teammates, the 449th AEG also engages in theater security cooperation activities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis Gomez)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
449th Air Expeditionary Group Change of Responsibility

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Nicholas Siburt, 449th Air Expeditionary Group outgoing senior enlisted leader, gives his last remarks before the 449th AEG Change of Responsibility ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 18, 2026. The 449th AEG provides personnel recovery task forces, intra-theater airlift, base operating support integrator, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, and aircraft launch and recovery elements in support of U.S. Central Command and U.S. Africa Command mission requirements, including support to regional partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis Gomez)

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449th Air Expeditionary Group Change of Responsibility

Published July 13, 2026
By Senior Airman Luis Gomez
449th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti -- U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Turknett, 449th Air Expeditionary Group senior enlisted leader, gives his first remarks after the 449th AEG Change of Responsibility ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 18, 2026. The 449th AEG provides personnel recovery task forces, intra-theater airlift, base operating support integrator, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, and aircraft launch and recovery elements in support of U.S. Central Command and U.S. Africa Command mission requirements, including support to regional partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luis Gomez)

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