BARKSDALE AFB, La. – Col. Bruce R. Cox, currently the director of 10th Air Force Operations and Plans Directorate, will replace Col. Jonathan M. Ellis as commander of the 307th Bomb Wing during a change of command ceremony scheduled for December 7, at 10 a.m., in Hoban Hall, Barksdale Air Force Base, La.
A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Col. Cox received his commission to the United States Air Force in 1986. After completing pilot training at Reese Air Force Base, Texas, where he was named a distinguished graduate, he completed F-16 Viper training at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Col. Cox is a graduate of Texas A&M University, the U.S. Air Force Air Command and Staff College, and the U.S. Air Force Air War College.
Since entering the Air Force Reserve in 1991, Col. Cox has participated in 11 deployments, flying 158 missions and logging 565 combat hours. He is rated as a command pilot with more than 4,400 total flight hours. He has served in numerous leadership positions within the 10th Air Force, including serving as the 301st Operations Group commander prior to working in his present capacity.
After 28 years as a fighter pilot, Col. Cox said he is looking forward to transitioning to bombers.
“The excitement of learning new missions with the great Airmen of the 307th Bomb Wing, along with learning the B-52 and B-1 aircraft, is an honor and a privilege to be cherished,” he said. “I hope to gain familiarity with every seat on the airplanes operated by the wing. In the end, I’ll sit wherever I’m told and execute the mission to the high standards taught by the 93rd Bomb Squadron instructors.”
Col. Cox stated his first priority as the new wing commander is to take care of the Airmen of the 307th Bomb Wing so they can execute the mission.
“It is the responsibility of leadership to provide our Airmen the tools and opportunities to balance civilian pursuits and military operational and strategic demands all while caring for each other and our families,” he said.
Col. Ellis will move to Air Force Global Strike Command and serve as the Mobilization Assistant to the Director of Operations.
