19th AW reactivates OG and MXG
U.S. Air Force Col. Bret Echard, 19th Airlift Wing and installation commander, presents Col. Christopher Welch, 19th Operations Group commander, with the ceremonial guidon during a reactivation ceremony, Jan. 23, 2026, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas. The decision to return to the original group structure reflects guidance from the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and aims to reduce change fatigue while strengthening commander-led readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Saisha Cornett)