Maj. Gen. Mark Weatherington took command of 8th Air Force from Maj. Gen. Jim Dawkins Jr. during a June 12 ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base, La.
As the leader of the “Mighty Eighth,” Weatherington will oversee the Air Force’s bomber force, including more than 20,000 Airmen, 150 bombers, and four E-4Bs, along with the Joint-Global Strike Operations Center.
“What a tremendous honor,” Weatherington said during the ceremony, according to a release. “I look forward to collaborating and strengthening our communities and forces in the days to come.”
Air Force Global Strike Command boss Gen. Timothy Ray presided over the ceremony, which was much smaller than normal because of COVID-19-related restrictions.
Weatherington previously served as the deputy commander of Air Education and Training Command. He is a command pilot who has flown more than 2,400 hours in aircraft including the B-1 and B-2, and has previously served as the commander of the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.
Dawkins’ next assignment has not been announced.