13th ASOS receives new commander

Published June 5, 2017
By Dani Johnson
Fort Carson Public Affairs Office

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- The Air Force’s 13th Air Support Operations Squadron at Fort Carson, Colorado, held a change of command ceremony, May 30, at Founders Field.

Lt. Col. Jeffrey P. Strange assumed command of the squadron from Lt. Col. John W. Blocher during the ceremony officiated by Col. Aaron Ullman, commander, 3rd Air Support Operations Group, Fort Hood, Texas.

“The hardest decision I have to make is who I pick to lead a squadron,” said Ullman. “I would be lying if I said I was truly exciting to see ‘Coke’ (Blocher) leave. He took on projects and transformed the way we organize, train and equip our units."

Unofficially known as the “Gunslingers” (a nickname given by the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment), the joint terminal attack controllers of the 13th ASOS provide close air support to the 4th Infantry Division and its subordinate brigades. The mission of the 13th ASOS is to enhance the joint warfighter team by providing combat mission ready Airmen to advise, integrate and control Air and Space Power.

“I know ‘Miso’ (Strange) will bring great ideas to the team and will continue to improve on its successes,” Ullman said. “He has the strength of character to handle a geographically separated unit and to prepare the men and women of the 13th ASOS to go to war.”

Strange’s most recent assignment was the director of operations, 13th ASOS. A 2001 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and a career pilot, he has 2,800 hours in the B-1B Lancer bomber including more than 1,700 combat hours. He has served as a flight lead, instructor pilot and air liaison officer. Strange has deployed multiple times in support of operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Inherent Resolve.

“I’ve gotten a lot of advice on leading millennials and the one thing I know is they want to know ‘what is in it for me,’” the new commander said. “Airpower with ground is a critical advantage to our military. We need that air-ground integration."

“I’m humbled and excited about this opportunity,” Strange said. “We will continue to guide on a powerful upward vector.”

Blocher assumed command of the squadron July 2, 2015. He quickly initiated a complete overhaul of squadron readiness procedures, coming into compliance with the unit's Designed Operational Capability Statement and posturing the squadron for rapid deployment in support of the 4th Inf. Div. He upheld standards and initiated participation in such training events as Red Flag-Alaska, U.S. Air Force Weapons School live-fire exercises at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, and most recently, the Gunslinger Challenge on post to show the unit's most capable Joint Terminal Attack Control team. Along the way the squadron met 100 percent of its deployment taskings, providing 66 Tactical Air Control Party personnel in support of five areas of operations.

“I leave here with a great deal of pride. When I took command, I cast a vision of being lethal, resilient, Gunslingers and Family,” he said. “You have proven over and over the past two years you have fulfilled (each aspect of my vision).”

Blocher moves on to NATO headquarters in Brunssum, Netherlands, where he will be the senior U.S. military assistant to the commander.