Home » Col. John Dobbin Assumes Command of 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base

Col. John Dobbin Assumes Command of 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base

By  //  December 9, 2019

Col. John Dobbin entered the Air Force in May 1997 as a graduate of Florida Southern College

Col. John Dobbin assumed command of the 920th Rescue Wing during a change of command ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 8 at Patrick Air Force Base. Maj. Gen. Brian Borgen, 10th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony in which Col. Kurt Matthews relinquished command of the 920th RQW to Col. Dobbin.

BREVARD COUNTY • PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, FLORIDA – Col. John Dobbin assumed command of the 920th Rescue Wing during a change of command ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 8 inside Hangar 750 at Patrick Air Force Base.

Maj. Gen. Brian Borgen, 10th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony in which Col. Kurt Matthews relinquished command of the 920th RQW to Col. Dobbin.

“We have never had a Combat Rescue Officer become a Wing Commander in the history of the United States Air Force,” said Maj. Gen. Brian Borgen, 10th Air Force commander.

The 920th Rescue Wing is the only Air Force Reserve Command combat-search-and-rescue wing.

The wing trains and equips approximately 2,000 Airmen who carry out its mission, to search for, locate and recover U.S. Armed Forces personnel during military operations.

In addition, 920th Reserve Citizen Airmen work closely with the 45th Space Wing, NASA and commercial space agencies, providing safety and security of the Eastern Range during Space Coast launches.

Col. Kurt Matthew’s will next serve as the Vice Commander of 22nd Air Force at Dobbins Air Force Reserve Base, Georgia. (920 Rescue Wing Image)

The 920th Rescue Wing is comprised of 23 subordinate groups and squadrons, including three geographically separated units—one at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, one at Portland, Oregon, and one at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.

The wing is responsible for a demanding and compelling array of missions, and the men and women who serve here must maintain a high level of proficiency and be ready to deploy at moment’s notice.

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In addition to supporting the space program, the unit’s other peacetime missions include search-and-rescue support for civilians in distress at sea, in the desert or upon mountains.

The wing also provides worldwide humanitarian relief, supporting rescue efforts in the aftermath of disasters such as hurricanes, floods and earthquakes.

Col. John Dobbin entered the Air Force in May 1997 as a graduate of Florida Southern College.

He has held operational, command and staff positions encompassing conventional and special activities in support of numerous named Department of Defense, State Department and interagency operations.

Prior to his current position as Officer to the Chief of Air Force Reserve and Commander Air Force Reserve Command, he was Assistant Deputy Director, Joint Staff J5 Strategy, Plans and Policy – Africa.

Col. Matthew’s will next serve as the Vice Commander of 22nd Air Force at Dobbins Air Force Reserve Base, Georgia.

Col. John Dobbin assumed command of the 920th Rescue Wing from Col. Kurt Matthews during a change of command ceremony at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, inside Hangar 750 at Patrick Air Force Base. (920th Rescue Wing Image)

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