JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Col. Tyler Schaff assumed command of the 316th Wing at Joint Base Andrews from Col. Andrew Purath during a change of command ceremony on JBA, June 11, 2020.
The 316th Wing was activated, becoming the host wing for JBA and taking on the Airmen and units of the 11th Wing.
Maj. Gen. Ricky Rupp, Air Force District of Washington commander, presided over the ceremonies to inactivate the 11th Wing and reactivate the 316th Wing. Rupp then transferred command from Purath to Schaff.
“I’m truly honored to be given the opportunity to lead the Airmen of the 316th Wing,” said Schaff, who previously served as the 436th Mission Support Group commander at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. “This base is renowned throughout the Air Force and I look forward to the challenge of fulfilling our critical mission."
Schaff now oversees the newly-activated 316th Wing providing security, personnel, contracting, finance, medical and infrastructure support for five wings, three headquarters, and over 80 tenant organizations, as well as 60,000 Airmen and families in the National Capital Region and around the world. Additionally, the 316th Wing supports contingency operations in our nation’s capital with immediate response rotary assets. It also provides security for the world’s highest visibility flight line.
Maj. Gen. Rupp said he “greatly appreciated” Purath’s leadership. “Especially through unprecedented challenging times leading the base in responding to the COVID-19 outbreak, he ensured our people and the wing missions remained a top priority,” the general added.
Purath is heading onward to Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, where he will serve as the vice commander of the 618th Air Operations Center under the Air Mobility Command.
“It’s been my absolute pleasure to command the 11th Wing. I will be forever grateful for the strong sense of mission and community that I’ve experienced on Joint Base Andrews,” Purath said.