AL DHAFRA AIR BASE, United Arab Emirates -- Brig. Gen. David “Shotgun” Lopez assumed command from Brig. Gen. Andy “Spoo” Clark, the previous commander of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, June 7, Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. Assuming this role, Lopez will be responsible for the Airmen and assets of 10 unique squadrons as well as the wing’s ground attack, intelligence, theatre security cooperation and in-transit airlift mission support.
Lopez was selected for the position after serving as the Senior Executive Officer to the Commander of Air Combat Command since July of 2021. While holding this duty he was responsible for transmitting COMACC’s guidance and policies to subordinate units. In addition, Lopez has operational, training and test experience in the McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle fighter aircraft and Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor stealth fighter aircraft. He has also served in multiple deployments to the Middle East prior to his service at Al Dhafra Air Base.
Before relinquishing the wing's colors to Lopez, Clark expressed his gratitude toward the 380th AEW’s hosts and partners from the United Arab Emirates, “I cannot be more grateful for your generosity, your flexibility and your friendship over the last year. We are proud members of the Al Dhafra community and family, and we could not perform our mission without you. Shukran jazilan, my friends.”
Clark continued speaking of the wing’s capabilities and achievements.
“This wing and our Airmen became the most diverse fighting organization in the Department of Defense,” said Clark. “They provided unrivaled combat power, situational awareness and decision advantage that protected our nation’s and our coalition partner’s interests from multiple, complex and evolutionary threats. A truly incredible legacy that includes some of the finest moments in Air Force history. Obviously, this didn’t just happen on its own. It was the fighting men and women of Al Dhafra that made it happen.”
While unable to attend the ceremony due to the Joint Regional Air Chiefs Conference, Lt. Gen. Gregory M. Guillot, the Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) commander, pre-recorded a video to recognize Clark for his achievements during a “year of warfighting with significant transitions” and extended his thanks to the outgoing commander’s family for providing the encouragement critical to Clarke’s success.
“Spoo, during your time as commander you found yourself in several scenarios that culminated to a once in a lifetime leadership challenge,” said Guillot. “You handled them with a steady hand while keeping the mission and your Airmen in the forefront of your mind.”
Guillot stated that, under Brig. Gen. Clark, the 380th AEW was the most diverse wing in the U.S Air Force, which consisted of 12 distinct weapon systems; executed over 2,900 combat sorties in support of Operations Inherent Resolve, Spartan Shield, Allies Refuge and the Resolute Support mission; and the combined defense of the Arabian Peninsula. During this time, the 380th AEW facilitated the evacuation of 124,000 travelers from Afghanistan within a period of 17 days – the largest non-combatant evacuation in U.S. history.
After Guillot and Clark provided Airmen of the 380th AEW a glimpse of Al Dhafra’s accomplishments over the past year, Guillot took a moment to voice his confidence in Lopez in front of the ADAB community.
“General Lopez has been prepared by the Air Force for this command,” said Guillot. “I know he eagerly awaits the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead…I have no doubt that he will continue to excel in this role. I am confident that under his leadership, the 380th AEW will deliver world class airpower and build on the record of exceptional results that have become the benchmark of this organization.”
Lopez recognized the accomplishments of the 380th, acknowledging the “amazing change” the wing has undergone over the past year, while, “providing excellence and getting the mission done.” Namely, removing group-level leadership in exchange for an “A-Staff,” which removes an echelon of leadership between wing and squadron commanders.
“We will continue to refine that and exploit that to make it as effective as possible,” said Lopez. “We will have a continued emphasis on agile combat employment – with a goal of being ready for combat before combat, ready for crisis before crisis. This wing represents the absolute tip of the spear for our Air Force and for our nation…We need to be prepared to execute whatever mission comes our way.”
With the command of the 380th officially in the hands of Lopez, Clark is now slated to become the commander of the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Force. According to the NATO website, the NAGSF conducts full-spectrum intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations in support of NATO and its commanders operating the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk, a high-altitude, remotely piloted surveillance aircraft.