News>Sturgeon assumes command of 8th Operations Group
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Col. James Sturgeon gives his first speech as 8th Operations Group commander after a change of command ceremony June 29, 2012, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Sturgeon received his commission through the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1989 and has flown more than 3,000 hours, including 1,800 in the F-16 Fighting Falcon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
Col. Craig Leavitt receives his last salute as commander of the 8th Operations Group during a change of command ceremony June 29, 2012, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Leavitt passed on command to Col. James Sturgeon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
Col. John Pearse, left, 8th Fighter Wing commander, passes the 8th Operations Group guidon to its new commander, Col. James Sturgeon, middle, after Col. Craig Levitt’s one-year tour with the Wolf Pack June 29, 2012, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. As the OG commander, Sturgeon is responsible for missions which support armistice and wartime taskings to defend the Republic of Korea. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
Col. James Sturgeon receives his first salute as 8th Operations Group commander after a change of command ceremony June 29, 2012, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. As the OG commander, Sturgeon is responsible for missions which support armistice and wartime taskings to defend the Republic of Korea. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
The Kunsan Honor Guard presents the colors during the 8th Operations Group change of command ceremony June 29, 2012, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Col. James Sturgeon assumed command of the group from Col. Craig Leavitt. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
Members of the 8th Operations Group await the beginning of a change of command ceremony June 29, 2012, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Command of the group passed from Col. Craig Leavitt to Col. James Sturgeon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley)
by Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
6/29/2012 - KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- During a change of command ceremony June 29, Col. James Sturgeon assumed command of the 8th Operations Group from Col. Craig Leavitt .
As commander, Sturgeon is responsible for the conduct of conventional air-to-ground and air-to-air missions in support of armistice and wartime taskings to defend the Republic of Korea.
Sturgeon received his commission through the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1989 and has flown more than 3,000 hours, including 1,800 in the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
