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Brown assumes command of Barnes Center for Enlisted Education

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Francisco Melendez-Espinosa
  • Air University Public Affairs

Air University and Maxwell Air Force Base welcomed a new commander for Air University’s Barnes Center for Enlisted Education during an assumption of command ceremony July 11, 2019, at Gunter Annex, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.

Colonel Kathryn Brown assumed command of the center responsible for developing and modernizing curriculum for Air Force enlisted professional military and continuing education.

Lieutenant Gen. Anthony J. Cotton, Air University commander and president was the presiding officer and expressed his thanks to Brown for stepping forward to shoulder the responsibility of assuming command.

“We’re going to see a transformation as I hand the flag of a truly historic training institution to Colonel Brown,” he said. “We chose the right leader, at the right time. I could not envision a more qualified leader.”

Brown received her commission in 1995 while attending Arizona State University. She served as the commander for the 11th Operations Group, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, before assuming command of the center.

The colonel is not new to Maxwell. She served as the commander of the 42nd Force Support Squadron from July 2009 to July 2011 and chief of the then-42nd Services Division from July 2008 to July 2009.

“Maxwell, Gunter and Montgomery as a whole have a deep meaning for our family.” Brown said. “Your presence and partnership mean a great deal to us, and I look forward to working with each and every one of you. I could not be more thrilled to work with such a great team of professionals.”

The organizations and programs under the Barnes Center umbrella include Airman Leadership Schools, NCO Academy (stateside), Senior NCO Academy, Community College of the Air Force, U.S. Air Force First Sergeant Academy, Air Force Enlisted Heritage Research Institute, Air Force Career Development Academy, Enlisted PME Instructor Course and Chief Master Sergeant Leadership Course.