Leadership transition marks new era for nuke treaty center

  • Published
  • By Susan A. Romano
  • AFTAC Public Affairs
PATRICK SPACE FORCE BASE, Fla. --  At a time-honored military tradition steeped in history, honor, and the unbroken chain of service, members of the Air Force Technical Applications Center here witnessed the passing of the unit guidon from their outgoing commander to the new one.

Col. Creighton Mullins relinquished command to Col. Mark Brow July 24 in Department of State Hangar 986 with more than 425 people in attendance, including the Undersecretary of War for Intelligence and Security, several federal, state and local elected officials, distinguished military officers, base and tenant senior leaders, noted community partners, and scores of Airmen from the Department of War’s sole nuclear treaty surveillance center of excellence.

The event marked not only the transfer of leadership, but the continuation of AFTAC’s global mission, core values, and commitment to excellence.

Lt. Gen. Thomas K. Hensley, commander of 16th Air Force (Air Forces Cyber), presided over the ceremony and talked about what he likes to call “The Creighton Era.”

“These past two years have been pivotal crossroads for AFTAC,” the general said, “and Colonel Mullins has commanded at an elite level during a time of tremendous and demanding operations tempo.  He delivered on every strategic, operational, and tactical requirement, all during a time of war.  The massive, fundamental transformation this center has seen under his leadership has been nothing short of extraordinary.”

He added, “Creighton, your execution has been flawless, your vision compelling, your drive uncompromising, and your warrior ethos unmatched.  Changing culture is hard, but leadership makes a difference, and you did just that – you led your Airmen to glory.  Well done!”

Hensley then awarded the Legion of Merit to the outgoing commander, citing several other significant milestones Mullins accomplished during his tenure, including spearheading the AFTAC at War initiative, a new era of technical surveillance that expanded the center’s worldwide acoustic sensors and enabled more than 2,000 tactical events with a 98 percent accuracy rate, all while achieving AFTAC’s first-ever kill-chain integration.

“There is an incredible sense of community at AFTAC, and I’ve never seen anything like it at any unit that I’ve been in,” said Mullins.  “We have been an ‘AFTAC at War,’ which has guided our purpose, and we have a community that goes back 80 years.  But what I’ll carry with me most is gratitude – gratitude for my entire leadership team and front office; for those on AFTAC’s front line of virtuous insurgency; for my dear friends and family here today; and last but not least, for the Airmen of AFTAC.  I’m grateful for the memories we’ve made, the impacts we’ve had, and the bonds we’ve forged – all things that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

Mullins is moving to the Pentagon to become the Senior Military Assistant to the Undersecretary of War for I&S.

Brow is no stranger to AFTAC.  From June 2023 to July 2025, he served as the commander of AFTAC’s 709th Surveillance and Analysis Group.  After the ceremonial passing of the guidon, the newly-appointed commander addressed the crowd.

“To the men and women of AFTAC, it is phenomenal to be back home!” Brow said.  “I am humbled to rejoin this elite organization.  For nearly eight decades, we have been charged with a mission that is existential to our nation’s survival.  AFTAC’s legacy is one of vigilance, innovation and flawless execution, and our very way of life depends on the work you do.  This no-fail mission remains my absolute top priority.”

Military changes of command date back to early Roman times, where the passing of a commander’s baton signified the transfer of leadership and allowed the troops to personally witness the smooth transfer of authority from one commander to another.  The practice was essential for maintaining good order, morale and discipline, as it clearly established who would lead the soldiers into combat.  The symbolism holds true today.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Brow expressed his appreciation to all those in attendance.

“Thank you, General Hensley, for the immense trust you’ve placed in me to command this extraordinary center,” he said.  “The lifeblood of this organization is its people – our dedicated military members, brilliant civil servants, and our crucial industry partners.  I am thrilled to get back to work and continue this vital mission alongside you.  Let’s move AFTAC forward, together!”