Wing commander takes Travis post

Wing commander takes Travis post
By Reporter Staff
Article Launched: 09/25/2008

Col. John Lipinski assumed command of the 615th Contingency Response Wing on Tuesday.

As commander of the 615th CRW - one of only two such wings in the U.S. Air Force - Colonel Lipinski will lead an assigned military and civilian work force of more than 700 people.

Prior to arriving at Travis AFB, Colonel Lipinski was the commander of the 15th Maintenance Group at Hickam AFB, Hawaii.

In addition to experience at numerous operational and staff assignments throughout his 23-year career, he is a command pilot with more than 3,900 flying hours in multiple aircraft weapon systems and combat time in the C-130E.

The 615th CRW is a tenant unit at Travis AFB, with a mission focused on rapidly establishing air mobility operations in support of contingency efforts and humanitarian operations.

Members of the wing are expertly trained to load and depart to locations worldwide in less than 12 hours after receiving a call to respond.

The wing's most recent humanitarian operations include deploying airmen in support of hurricanes Gustav and Ike.