A change of command ceremony is scheduled for July 9, when Brig. Gen. Charles D. Ethredge, commander of the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, will pass the unit's flag to Brig. Gen. Richard R. Moss. The moves were announced in April.

Ethredge is headed to the Pentagon, where he will serve as the deputy to the Chief of the Air Force Reserve.

Since assuming command in April 2000, Ethredge has led the 403rd Wing and a subordinate unit at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. The 403rd Wing is home to the Hurricane Hunters of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron and Flying Jennies of the 815th Airlift Squadron.

Ethredge and his wife, Angie, said they will miss the people of South Mississippi most.

"We have made many new friends here with whom we have become very close," he said. "All members of the surrounding communities accepted us immediately and we have felt at home since the first week. In fact, Angie and I agree that this has become our second home out of all the places we have been assigned."

Ethredge said his selection to work at the Pentagon was a complete surprise. As an operator throughout most of his career, he has spent nearly all of his tenure in flying units.

He said he will draw on things he learned at the 403rd and in his other leadership positions to guide him in his new assignment.

"Working issues concerning the new WC/C-130J placed me in a new environment where I had to establish relationships with all participants in the fielding of a major weapons system," he said. "Also, working with the Congressional delegation on that and other issues has helped prepare me since I will continue those efforts on a broader scale at the Pentagon."

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