New Boss at 12th Air Force

Air Forces Southern and 12th Air Force is now under the command of newly promoted Lt. Gen. Mark Nowland, who assumed leadership of AFSOUTH and 12th AF during a Dec. 19 change of command ceremony at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. Nowland replaced Lt. Gen. Tod Wolters, who is headed to the Pentagon where he steps into the office of deputy chief of staff for operations, plans, and requirements on the Air Staff. Nowland previously served as the chief of staff at US Southern Command, where he worked to coordinate the command’s theater campaign plan, and to sync the efforts of nine directorates and 16 staff offices. The subordinate commands of 12th AF operate more than 680 aircraft and oversee more than 55,000 airmen and civilian employees. In a holiday message to airmen, Nowland said he and his family are excited, honored, and humbled to join the 12th AF community. “I look forward to earning your trust, and getting to know you and your families,” he said. “While leading 12th AF and Air Forces Southern in producing and providing the trained and ready airmen this nation needs to fight the threats facing America, we will strive to balance mission and family.”