U.S. Air Forces Central Conducts Change of Command

U.S. Air Force Gen. Adrian Spain, commander of Air Combat Command, passes the ceremonial guidon to U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Daniel T. Lasica, incoming U.S. Air Forces Central commander, during a change of command ceremony at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, Aug. 4, 2026. Lasica will provide strategic leadership for approximately 15,000 deployed joint and coalition forces executing air defense operations across U.S. Central Command's 21-nation area of responsiblity alongside regional partners and coalition allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Donovin Watson)

U.S. Air Forces Central Conducts Change of Command

U.S. Air Force Gen. Adrian Spain, commander of Air Combat Command, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Patrick Frank, deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Derek France, outgoing U.S. Air Forces Central outgoing commander and U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Daniel T. Lasica, U.S. Air Forces Central incoming commander, listen to the master of ceremonies during a change of command ceremony at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, Aug. 4, 2026. As U.S. Central Command’s air component, Air Forces Central generates combat airpower and integrates command and control to deter and, if necessary, defeat regional aggressors and global competitors to secure and stabilize the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Will Sherwood)

U.S. Air Forces Central Conducts Change of Command

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Patrick Frank, deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, delivers remarks during a change of command ceremony at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, Aug. 4, 2026. Incoming U.S. Air Forces Central commander, Lt. Gen. Daniel T. Lasica, will provide strategic leadership for approximately 15,000 deployed joint and coalition forces executing air defense operations across U.S. Central Command’s 21-nation area of responsibility alongside regional partners and coalition allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Will Sherwood)

U.S. Air Forces Central Conducts Change of Command

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Daniel T. Lasica, U.S. Air Forces Central commander, delivers remarks during his change of command ceremony at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, Aug. 4, 2026. Lasica will provide strategic leadership for approximately 15,000 deployed joint and coalition forces executing air defense operations across U.S. Central Command’s 21-nation area of responsibility alongside regional partners and coalition allies. (U.S. Air Force photo Airman 1st Class Donovin Watson)

U.S. Air Forces Central Conducts Change of Command

Airmen from the Shaw Air Force Base Honor Guard present the colors at the U.S. Air Forces Central change of command ceremony at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, Aug. 4, 2026. Incoming Air Forces Central commander, Lt. General Daniel T. Lasica, will provide strategic leadership for approximately 15,000 deployed joint and coalition forces executing air defense operations across U.S. Central Command’s 21-nation area of responsibility alongside regional partners and coalition allies. (U.S. Air Force photo Airman 1st Class Donovin Watson)

U.S. Air Forces Central Conducts Change of Command

Staff Sgt. Daniel Gelman, Heritage of America bandsman, performs at the U.S. Air Forces Central change of command ceremony at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, Aug. 4, 2026. As U.S. Central Command’s air component, Air Forces Central generates combat airpower and integrates command and control to deter and, if necessary, defeat regional aggressors and global competitors to secure and stabilize the region. (U.S. Air Force photo Airman 1st Class Donovin Watson)

U.S. Air Forces Central Conducts Change of Command

U.S. Air Force Gen. Adrian Spain, left, commander of Air Combat Command, U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Derek France, center, U.S. Air Forces Central outgoing commander, and U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Daniel T. Lasica, right, incoming Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) commander, celebrate on stage during a change of command ceremony at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, Aug. 4, 2026. As U.S. Central Command’s air component, Air Forces Central generates combat airpower and integrates command and control to deter and, if necessary, defeat regional aggressors and global competitors to secure and stabilize the region. (U.S. Air Force photo Airman 1st Class Donovin Watson)

U.S. Air Forces Central Conducts Change of Command

U.S. Air Force Gen. Adrian Spain, commander of Air Combat Command, receives the ceremonial guidon from U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Derek France, outgoing U.S. Air Forces Central commander, during a change of command ceremony at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, Aug. 4, 2026. As U.S. Central Command’s air component, Air Forces Central generates combat airpower and integrates command and control to deter and, if necessary, defeat regional aggressors and global competitors to secure and stabilize the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Donovin Watson)

U.S. Air Forces Central Conducts Change of Command

Published Aug. 5, 2026
By Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) Public Affairs
Ninth Air Force

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --

U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT) conducted a change of command ceremony Aug. 4 in South Carolina at Shaw Air Force Base, marking the transfer of leadership from Lt. Gen. Derek France to Lt. Gen. Daniel Lasica.

قاعدة شو الجوية، ولاية كارولينا الجنوبية – أجرت القيادة المركزية للقوات الجوية الأمريكية مراسم انتقال المهام القيادية في 4 أغسطس/اب في قاعدة شو الجوية بولاية كارولينا الجنوبية، إيذاناً بانتقال القيادة من الفريق ديريك فرانس إلى الفريق دانيال لاسيكا.

U.S. Air Force Gen. Adrian Spain, commander of Air Combat Command, presided over the ceremony and praised the accomplishments of AFCENT across its history and under France’s leadership.

ترأس الجنرال أدريان سبين، قائد قيادة القتال الجوي في القوات الجوية الأمريكية، المراسم وأشاد بإنجازات القيادة المركزية للقوات الجوية على مر تاريخها وتحت قيادة الفريق فرانس.

“Since 1979 when this command took the mantle of the rapid deployment joint task force, you have defined combat excellence. This command has stood as our nation’s sentry,” Spain said. “Today, that legacy of generating airpower continues.”

قال سبين: "منذ عام 1979، حين تولت هذه القيادة مسؤولية قوة المهام المشتركة للانتشار السريع، وأنتم تجسدون التميز القتالي. فقد ظلت هذه القيادة حارساً لأمتنا". واضاف "اليوم، يتواصل ذلك الإرث المتمثل في عملية تجدد القدرات الجوية".

Lt. Gen. Patrick Frank, deputy commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), represented the combatant command at the ceremony, highlighting the organization’s role in integration and successful relationships with joint and coalition partners.

مثّل الفريق باتريك فرانك، نائب قائد القيادة المركزية الأمريكية (سنتكوم)، القيادة المقاتلة في المراسم، مُسلطاً الضوء على دور المنظمة في التكامل وبناء علاقات ناجحة مع الشركاء في القوات المشتركة وقوات التحالف.

“While in command of U.S. Air Forces Central over the past two years, Lt. Gen. France has been a tremendous warfighter and unparalleled contribution to the CENTCOM team,” Frank said. “His leadership and dedication will be remembered for years to come.”

قال فرانك: "خلال فترة قيادته للقيادة المركزية للقوات الجوية الأمريكية على مدى العامين الماضيين، كان الفريق فرانس مقاتلاً بارعاً وقدّم مساهمات لا تضاهى لفريق القيادة المركزية الأمريكية. وسيظل الجميع يذكرون قيادته وتفانيه لسنوات قادمة".

France assumed command of AFCENT on April 18, 2024, and is currently slated to retire. During his outgoing remarks, France thanked the Airmen, leaders, and families across the command for their dedication and commitment.

كان الفريق فرانس قد تولى قيادة القوات الجوية المركزية في 18 أبريل/نيسان 2024، ومن المقرر أن يتقاعد حالياً. في كلمته الختامية، أعرب فرانس عن شكره لمنتسبي القوات الجوية والقادة والعائلات في جميع أنحاء القيادة على تفانيهم والتزامهم.

“I am humbled today to have had the opportunity to lead AFCENT during a historic time on the world’s stage,” France said. “But more than that, I am proud to be counting myself among all of you in standing in the arena and writing history.”

قال فرانس: "أشعر بالتواضع والامتنان اليوم لحصولي على فرصة قيادة القوات الجوية المركزية خلال فترة تاريخية على الساحة العالمية. ولكن الأهم من ذلك، أنني فخور بكوني واحداً منكم، نقف معاً في ميدان العمل ونكتب التاريخ".

Lasica joins AFCENT after serving as the director of operations at U.S. European Command headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany.

Concluding the ceremony with his remarks, Lasica underscored the ongoing mission requirements, stating, “This team has been led by warriors and leaders that epitomize our fighting spirit. We will continue our legacy of valor and aggressively focus on defend, defeat, develop and win.”

ينضم الفريق لاسيكا إلى القوات الجوية المركزية بعد أن شغل منصب مدير العمليات في مقر القيادة الأوروبية الأمريكية في مدينة شتوتغارت بألمانيا. وفي ختام كلمته، أكد لاسيكا على متطلبات المهمة المستمرة، قائلاً: "لقد قاد هذا الفريق محاربون وقادة يجسدون روحنا القتالية. سنواصل إرثنا المفعم بالشجاعة، وسنركز بكل عزم على مهام الدفاع، ودحر العدو والتطوير، وتحقيق النصر".

As CENTCOM’s Air Component, AFCENT is responsible for all air operations, partnerships, and readiness in the Middle East and Central Asia.

بصفتها المكون الجوي للقيادة المركزية الأمريكية (سنتكوم)، تتولى القوات الجوية المركزية مسؤولية كافة العمليات الجوية والشراكات ومستويات الجاهزية في منطقة الشرق الأوسط وآسيا الوسطى.