EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — Col. Chris Keithley assumed command of the 96th Test Wing during a June 16 change of command ceremony at the McKinley Climatic Lab.
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Maj. Gen. Scott A. Cain, commander of the Air Force Test Center, presided over the ceremony, transferring command from Brig. Gen. Mark A. Massaro to Col. Keithley. Maj. Gen. Cain also officiated the change of responsibility from Chief Master Sgt. Adam J. Guest to Chief Master Sgt. Tomio Brown Sr.
The ceremony began by acknowledging the loss of eight members of the Air Force test enterprise who died in a B-52 Stratofortress accident at Edwards Air Force Base on June 15.
“While we celebrate these two men today, I have to acknowledge the weight on all our hearts for the loss of our teammates,” Maj. Gen. Cain said.
Maj. Gen. Cain said the 96th Test Wing’s mission is critical to national security and emphasized the need to accelerate innovation.
“In an era of competition and transformation, our mandate is simple: we must move faster and innovate boldly,” Maj. Gen. Cain said.
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During his farewell remarks, Brig. Gen. Massaro reflected on the wing’s accomplishments during his tenure, highlighting three priorities: executing the mission, supporting personnel, and sustaining strategic partnerships.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to lead the 96th TW, the most diverse and dynamic wing in the Air Force,” Brig. Gen. Massaro said.
“The future of the 96th TW is bright, and I do not doubt that you will continue to lead the way in testing, innovation, and excellence. I am confident Col. Keithley is the right leader to carry team Eglin into the future.”
Col. Keithley, a command pilot with more than 2,300 flight hours in various aircraft, began his Air Force career in 2000 and most recently commanded a data-masked organization leading military members, civilians, and contractors across multiple locations.
According to the Air Force, Col. Keithley will lead more than 10,000 military members, civilians, and contractors who conduct developmental testing and evaluation of conventional munitions, command-and-control systems, aircraft avionics and guidance systems, and radar cross-section measurements. He will also manage a 120,000-square-mile over-water test range, facilities in six states, and direct all base operating support, infrastructure, and services support for Eglin.
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“While I’ve never been assigned here, I’ve worked extensively with the organizations based at Eglin,” Col. Keithley said.
“Each time, I have been amazed at how this team recognizes the extent to which detail matters. You know better than most details are the difference-makers. I’ve also been amazed at how this team consistently produces results.”
Before departing for his new role as commander of the Air Force Test Center, Brig. Gen. Massaro thanked the men and women of the 96th Test Wing for their dedication and resilience during his tenure.
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