Change of command set for 27th Special Operations Wing

After two years of command, Johnston will move to his next assignment as Director of Strategic Plans, Programs and Requirements for Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Fla. While serving as commander, Johnston led the Wing through a period of continued operational excellence, strengthening the readiness and lethality of Air Commandos assigned to Cannon Air Force Base while advancing modernization efforts, enhancing quality-of-life initiatives for Airmen and families, and reinforcing the Wing’s role as a globally responsive special operations force.

Incoming commander, Col. Cassidy was raised in Tucson, Arizona, and earned his commission in 2004 from the University of Arizona’s Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). He is a career special operations and air mobility pilot, with over 2,300 flight hours in CV-22 and C-130 aircraft. Col Cassidy has flown combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, supported worldwide contingency operations, and commanded at the squadron and group levels.

Cassidy arrives at Cannon from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, where he most recently served as commander of the 11th Air Task Force, a pioneering unit focused on developing agile, mission-ready Airmen and validating innovative force generation concepts for the Air Force. Cassidy brings extensive special operations experience and a proven record of leading highly adaptable organizations in dynamic and contested environments.