Photos: Davis-Monthan AFB welcomes new commander

Col. Scott Mills took command of the 355th Wing at Davis-Monthan AFB from Col. Joseph Turnham during the change of command ceremony at D-M on Thursday.

Mills formerly was commander of the 57th Operations Group under the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, leading a group of ten squadrons and three detachments overseeing academic and flight training including Red Flag and Green Flag exercises, and directing airfield operations, scheduling, training, and weather support.

A command pilot with more than 2,400 flying hours including 300 combat hours, Mills served in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. His service included stints as a pilot with the 354th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan and an instructor at the U.S. Air Force Weapons School.

Mills replaces Col. Joseph Turnham after Turnham served two years as the 355th Wing Commander. Turnham will transition to Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado to serve as director of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the United States Norther Command Joint Operations Center.