346th AEW conducts change of command as 31st Air Task Force takes over mission

CEIBA, Puerto Rico — U.S. Air Force Col. Brad M. Dvorak assumed command of the 346th Air Expeditionary Wing from Col. William J. Watkins during a change of command ceremony at Jose Aponte De La Torre Airport in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, Oct. 7.

Brig. Gen. Henry R. Jeffress III, Air Forces Southern deputy commander, presided over the ceremony.

“This team, under Col Watkins, did phenomenal work in generating steady state operations for the 346th,” said Jeffress. “They stood down two operating locations while standing up additional locations, moving personnel and aircraft with losing a single sortie, and demonstrating a level of readiness that directly protected our southern approaches and met the combatant commander’s highest-priority requirements.”

Watkins, a master academic instructor and weapons systems officer with over 2,100 flying hours, relinquished command after serving for almost seven months. Under his leadership, the 346th AEW enabled approximately 350 narco-terrorist interdictions, the movement of 1,870 tons of cargo, and the seizure of 207 metric tons of illicit drugs. The 346th AEW is responsible for approximately 1,000 personnel, running four operating locations, and supporting several joint flying units.

“Disciplined. Ready. Unbreakable. That’s who we were, and that’s who we are,” said Watkins. “But I speak for everyone here when I say we will rest well knowing the 31st Air Task Force is on guard at our southern front.” After forming and training the 31st Air Task Force, Dvorak and his command chief, CMSgt Matthew Greiner, assume command of the 346th AEW during a critical period. The wing will continue generating combat air power in the Caribbean and supporting the emergent efforts of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, Department of War-directed operations, and the President’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, deter malign actors, and protect the homeland.

“Today, we inherit something special. We inherit a wing that was born from the Air Force’s effort to create trained, cohesive teams that can move quickly and execute from day one,” said Dvorak. “We inherit the reputation established by those who came before us, and we inherit a responsibility to those who will come after us.” Activated in July 2025 as the last of the Air Force’s ATFs, the 31st ATF pioneered a rapidly employable wing operations center, enabling expeditionary communication, distributed command and control, and the ability to detect, track, and defeat potential aerial threats. It was redesignated an air expeditionary wing to execute a world-wide deployment exercise, providing command and control, base operating support, and refueling capabilities to enable over 500 joint, combined sorties. Additionally, the 31st ATF pioneered tactical readiness in combat medicine and base defense, training assigned medics to special operations forces standards and building out a multi-layered counter-small unmanned aerial systems capability.

“These benchmarks have proven an agile unit of action concept, positioning the 31st ATF, now the 346th AEW, to sustain highly lethal, mobile, and survivable air power in contested environments,” said Dvorak. “During our time here, we look forward to building on mission accomplishments and lessons learned from previous evolutions and modeling the AEW 2.0 concept amid dynamic operational requirements.”

Prior to becoming the 31st ATF commander, Dvorak was the military assistant to the then-Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness at the Pentagon. He graduated from Arizona State University in 2004, where he commissioned through the ROTC program. He has served in a variety of operational and staff assignments at the squadron, joint, Office of the Secretary of War, and Headquarters Air Force levels. He is a senior air battle manager who has served as an instructor, evaluator, and weapons officer, with combat experience in the Middle East and Central Asia.

“To the new Airmen joining the 346th Air Expeditionary Wing—from the 31st Air Task Force, 31st Combat Air Base Squadron, and across the Air Force—I am honored to continue to serve with you,” said Dvorak. “Our environment is changing. Our mission is evolving. The Caribbean and the defense of our homeland demand vigilance, agility, and the ability to operate with our joint and interagency partners across a dynamic region.”

The 346th AEW directly contributes to defending the U.S. homeland by supporting the application of sustained pressure against malign actors and designated terrorist organizations. The wing’s mission reinforces the U.S. commitment to a comprehensive, whole-of-government, and multinational approach, working alongside trusted allies and partners to promote a secure, stable, and prosperous Western Hemisphere.

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