Treaty Monitoring Center bids farewell to commander, welcomes new boss

  • Published
  • By Susan A. Romano
  • AFTAC Public Affairs
PATRICK SPACE FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Air Force Technical Applications Center, the Defense Department’s sole nuclear treaty monitoring center, conducted a Change of Command ceremony today to signify the transition of responsibly from one Air Force leader to another.
 
Col. James A. Finlayson has been at AFTAC’s helm since June 2022, and during his tenure, he managed a $350 million fiscal budget and oversaw the employment of a multi-domain sensor network that delivered crucial insight for national policymakers.  He led the center’s digital transformation and drove the rapid maturation of a first-of-its-kind mission capability from concept to execution, satisfying U.S. European Command’s top priority during the onset of the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
 
“Not a day goes by that I am not in awe of the innovative ways you find to get after AFTAC’s nuclear deterrence and nuclear treaty monitoring mission,” Finlayson said.  “As you know, people are my passion, and I have always believed that if you invest in people, give them guidance, and then get the hell out of their way, they will do amazing things.  You, Team AFTAC, have done amazing things!”
 
Sixteenth Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Kevin B. Kennedy amplified Finlayson’s accomplishments during his remarks as the ceremony’s presiding officer.
 
“Leading an organization of the scale, scope, and complexity of AFTAC is no small task,” said Kennedy.  “Colonel Finlayson cultivated a resilient team that achieved critical mission outcomes with significant impact for our nation, and leveraged the talents of every team member to deliver unique information warfare capabilities to maximize mission outcomes across all domains.”
 
An Air Force change of command ceremony is steeped in history and represents the formal transfer of authority and responsibility.  It is also a way to recognize the achievements of an outgoing commander as well as welcome and introduce the new commander to the people he or she will be leading.
 
The incoming commander, Col. Creighton A. Mullins, comes to AFTAC with a significant operational resume, having served as the military assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs; the director of operations at the National Air and Space Intelligence Center; operations officer at Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, N.C.; and most recently, the commander of the 693rd Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
 
“I am beyond excited to join the team, and I believe in this mission with every fiber of my soul,” Mullins said.  “AFTAC was born to be our nation’s vigilant overseer of the nuclear threat worldwide, and over our long history, we have continued to do so while advancing our abilities to detect and deter against weapons of mass destruction.  Leading AFTAC is the ultimate sacred duty for me, and I am truly honored to continue to serve.”
 
Kennedy, who in addition to leading 16th Air Force, also commands Air Forces Cyber and Joint Force Headquarters-Cyber (Air Force) at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, explained what he looks for when choosing the right officers to lead the units under his command.
 
“When selecting a wing commander, I look for leaders who build teams, communicate their vision, and are continually seeking connection with the Airmen who are entrusted to their command,” said Kennedy. 
“Colonel Mullins is that Airman.  He has excelled throughout his career, and I have no doubt he is the right leader to take AFTAC to new heights.”
 
Coupled with the change of command, the ceremony also included a Change of Responsibility, where AFTAC’s outgoing command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Jerome Wright, passed the guidon to his successor, Chief Master Sgt. Brian Mitchell.
 
Both Finlayson and Mullins had nothing but high praise for both senior enlisted leaders.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better wingman for these past two years,” Finlayson said about Wright.  “We traveled to the four corners of the world building partnerships and taking care of our folks, and his unwavering dedication and mentorship is infectious!”
 
Mullins added, “There is a sacred relationship between a commander and command chief, and I knew from the moment I interviewed Chief Mitchell that he was the chief that AFTAC and I will need to guide our enlisted force.”
 
Finlayson received orders to the National Capital Region, where he will be assigned to U.S. Cyber Command’s Legislative Liaison branch, and Wright is retiring after serving 25 years on active duty.
 
At the conclusion of his remarks, Finlayson said, “There is a reason the windshield of a car is a heck of a lot bigger than the rear view mirror, as it encourages us not to focus so much on what is behind us, but to focus our efforts on looking at what’s ahead.  Thanks for an amazing two years, Team AFTAC!”