O'Brien takes reins at 479th FTG

NAS PENSACOLA, Fla. - In front of a socially distanced audience, the 479th Flying Training Group turned the page in its next chapter of command here June 23 when Col. Charles McElvaine relinquished the reins to Col. William O’Brien IV. He enters command with the combination of recent tactical relevance and leadership that will have an immediate impact on the production of Air Force Combat Systems Officers (CSOs). Excited about his return to NAS Pensacola, he said: “I am humbled and privileged to be given the opportunity to lead such a great team, leading a unique mission such as our only Combat Systems Officer training pipeline. These future aviators are a lynchpin as the Air Force transitions from a platform-centric to a net-centric approach to warfare.” In his previous assignment, he was the Division Chief Enterprise and Engagement, Electromagnetic Spectrum Superiority Director at AF headquarters. Col. McElvaine ends a 3-year tour of the command that resulted in the production of 727 Combat Systems Officers and the largest overhaul of course syllabi in more than a decade. The course modification resulted in a production increase of over 30 percent, all without additional costs or resources. He will move to the post of professor at the National War College in Washington, D.C. (Source: 12th Flight Training Wing 06/23/20)