JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
U.S. Air Force Col. Max Pearson, the new 480th Intelligence,
Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing commander, accepted the wing’s guidion
from Maj. Gen. Mary O’Brian, 25th Air Force commander, during the change of
command ceremony here on June 19, 2018.
As the 480th ISRW commander, Pearson will direct the global
ISR operations of six groups providing world-class ISR to combatant commanders,
Combined Forces Air Component commanders, Numbered Air Force commanders and
coalition forces. The wing spans the full spectrum of ISR operations, from
humanitarian assistance to major theater conflict.
During his remarks, Pearson said his priorities include caring
for Airmen and their families, strengthening the core of the Distributed Common
Ground System enterprise and sustaining the momentum of innovation.
“The 480th ISRW represents one of the American military’s
few remaining asymmetric advantages,” he said. “Sustaining America’s advantage
in target discovery and time-dominant fusion is our most important mission. I
consider it our solemn duty to make this wing better and stronger, and I am
passionate about it.”
Pearson is also passionate about the Airmen in his new wing.
“Our Airmen are our most valuable assets,” he said. “They
are the heart and soul of our capabilities - not systems, staffs or leadership
- and we need to treat them as such.”
“I’m joining an amazing team that’s doing nationally
consequential things,” added Pearson. “This is going to be fun. I have a lot to
learn, and I’m all in!”
The 480th ISR Wing has a remarkable history dating back to
1943 when it was activated as the 480th Anti-Submarine Group. Currently, the wing,
which is the largest ISR wing in the Air Force, has 23 active-duty squadrons comprised
of more than 6,000 active duty Airmen and over 2,200 Air National Guard and
Reserves personnel.