Col. Cabrera assumes command of the 355th Wing

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  • By Airman Samantha Melecio
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  

U.S. Air Force Col. Jose Cabrera took command of the 355th Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, July 10, 2025.

U.S. Air Force Maj. General David Lyons, 15th Air Force commander, presents the Legion of Merit medal to Col. Scott Mills, outgoing 355th Wing commander, during the 355th Wing Change of Command ceremony at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, July 20, 2025. Mills concluded his three-year tenure as 355th Wing commander and departed Davis-Monthan to serve at the Pentagon as senior executive to the Air Force Chief of Staff. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Samantha Melecio)

U.S. Air Force Maj. General David Lyons, 15th Air Force commander, presents the Legion of Merit medal to Col. Scott Mills, outgoing 355th Wing commander, during the 355th Wing Change of Command ceremony at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, July 20, 2025. Mills concluded his three-year tenure as 355th Wing commander and departed Davis-Monthan to serve at the Pentagon as senior executive to the Air Force Chief of Staff. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Samantha Melecio)
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Col. Scott Mills, outgoing 355th Wing commander, commanded the installation at DM for three years and is relinquishing command of the wing as he moves to the Pentagon in Washington D.C. to serve as the Chief of Staff of the Air Force’s senior executive.

“It’s been an absolute honor to serve with all of you, and I’m indebted to the rescue and attack mindset you brought every single day,” said Mills. 

The 355th Wing outgoing and incoming command teams stand at attention during the 355th Wing Change of Command ceremony at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, July 10, 2025. The 355th Wing is charged with deploying, employing and sustaining combat search and rescue capabilities in support of global operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Samantha Melecio)

The 355th Wing outgoing and incoming command teams stand at attention during the 355th Wing Change of Command ceremony at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, July 10, 2025. The 355th Wing is charged with deploying, employing and sustaining combat search and rescue capabilities in support of global operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Samantha Melecio)
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Cabrera, who previously served as the 563rd Rescue Group commander, took command after returning from the NATO Centre of Excellence Defence Against Terrorism (COE-DAT), Ankara, Türkiye, where he assisted the Centre’s director in leading the 62-member staff of a unique, nine-nation International Military Organization.

“To the Airmen and families of the Desert Lightning Team, I am humbled for the opportunity to join the ranks of such a dedicated, lethal and selfless group of Airmen,” said Cabrera.

U.S. Air Force Maj. General David Lyons, 15th Air Force commander, presents the guidon to Col. Jose Cabrera, incoming 355th Wing commander, during the 355th Wing Change of Command ceremony at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, July 10, 2025. In this role, Cabrera will oversee the readiness, welfare and integration of more than 11,000 personnel across the installation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Samantha Melecio)

U.S. Air Force Maj. General David Lyons, 15th Air Force commander, presents the guidon to Col. Jose Cabrera, incoming 355th Wing commander, during the 355th Wing Change of Command ceremony at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, July 10, 2025. In this role, Cabrera will oversee the readiness, welfare and integration of more than 11,000 personnel across the installation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Samantha Melecio)
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Cabrera will now lead the 355th Wing, home of the largest rescue mission, with over 11,000 base personnel, supporting Airmen and operations assigned to the wing and its federal mission partners.