EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – The 96th Test Wing welcomed its new commander during a change of command ceremony on Eglin Air Force Base yesterday.
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Brig. Gen. Scott Cain passed the guidon to the wing’s new leader, Brig. Gen. Jeff Geraghty. The wing also bid farewell to Cain, who leaves for Ohio and Air Force Materiel Command.
The presiding officer and former 96th TW commander, Maj. Gen. Evan Dertien, Air Force Test Center commander, spoke about the diversity and complexity of the wing’s missions before speaking about its new leader.
“You are ready, and I have full confidence you will continue the legacy of the 96th TW,” said Dertien.
“The test wing’s motto is ‘it’s always the hour.’ Today that remains truer than ever as we continue to sharpen our nation’s sword and shield and prepare for its future endeavors.”
A senior pilot with more than 1,750 flight hours, Geraghty is no stranger to the 96th TW’s mission. The 24-year veteran was both an F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon test pilot as well as a flight commander within the 40th Flight Test Squadron here.
“This is a dream job,” said Geraghty.
“It’s a great honor to return to Eglin Air Force Base, 15 years after our first assignment here. I look forward to serving you in the various missions you perform. I will look to empower and learn from you, as well as work and thrive with you.”
Geraghty received his commission from the Air Force Academy in 1997. His career accomplishments include becoming a Secretary of Defense Corporate Fellow at Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) and piloting an F-15 during Operations Northern Watch, Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.
The new general, frocked to the new rank just before the change of command ceremony, comes to Eglin after serving as the Arnold Engineering Development Complex commander.
