SPRINGFIELD, ILL -- Col. Jonathan Edwards, accepts the 183d Air Operations Group (183 AOG) guidon from Col. Robert Gellner, Commander, 183d Wing, as he assumes command of the 183d AOG. Col. Edwards commissioned in 2002 after completing ROTC at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He served in active duty before joining the 183d Wing in 2009.
Throughout his career, Edwards has worked as a space officer and joint planner, and he is a veteran of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, Operation FREEDOM SENTINEL, Resolute Support Mission and the Combined Defense of the Arabian Gulf.
Prior to accepting command of 183d AOG, Edwards served as the Commander of the 183d Air Component Operations Squadron.
In his full-time career, Edwards has worked as an Analyst with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency since 2009.
The assumption of command ceremony is a military tradition deeply rooted in history and dates back to the time of Frederick the Great of Prussia. The formal assumption of command ceremony affords troops the opportunity to witness a new leader assuming their dutiful position.