Former 55 WG commander named top wing commander in ACC

  • Published
  • By Harry J. Lundy
  • Air Combat Command Public Affairs
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va.(ACCNS) --  Brig. Gen. James J. Jones was awarded the Col. Joseph A. Moller Trophy, given to the best wing commander in Air Combat Command for 2009.

The award was presented by Gen. William M. Fraser III, commander of Air Combat Command, at an afternoon ceremony June 25 at the command headquarters building.

"It's my honor to present the Moller Trophy today to a great Air Force leader," General Fraser said. "Being an outstanding commander and leader at any level begins and ends with taking care of people."

"I was privileged to have the opportunity to command the 55th Wing," General Jones said. "This award really isn't about my performance--it's a tribute to the outstanding performance of the 7,000 people I had the honor to work with."

During General Jones' tenure as commander of Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., the Child Development Center boosted their capacity by 150 percent and was ACC's Child Development Program of the Year. The wing was also noted as having the best practices during a Nuclear Surety Staff Assistance Visit--all while supporting more than 7,000 deployed Airmen in locations around the globe.

General Jones noted the energy and dedication of the Airmen at Offutt. They worked in sub-zero weather during an Operational Readiness Inspection.

"That was just one example of the dedication and commitment to our mission that I saw on a daily basis," General Jones said.

Under the general's guidance the 55th Wing won the Air Force Meritorious Unit Award and successfully implemented the largest privatized housing project in the continental United States.

"I appreciate this," the general said, while looking at the award. "It is quite an honor and a humbling experience."

Currently, General Jones is the deputy director of operations for U.S. Central Command.

The Moller Trophy was first presented as a token of appreciation to Col. Joseph Moller, commander of the 390th Bombardment Group, by his Airmen in 1945. He was a skilled pilot who flew 49 B-17 combat missions during World War II and earned a Silver Star and multiple Distinguished Flying Crosses.

Strategic Air Command began presenting the trophy in 1982 to the outstanding wing commander. ACC inherited the trophy in 1992 when SAC was deactivated.