Ostrat Assumes Command of the 908th

Commander of 22nd Air Force, Maj. Gen. John Stokes (left) transfers command of the 908th Airlift Wing to Col. Kenneth Ostrat during an Assumption of Command ceremony March 5 at Maxwell Air Force Base. This is Ostrat’s second time with the wing as he was previously the director of operations for the 357th Airlift Squadron from July 2008 until December 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Jerry Lobb)

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Ostrat Assumes Command of the 908th

Sandy Stokes (left) wife of 22nd Air Force commander Maj. Gen. John Stokes, sits with the Ostrat family before Col. Kenneth Ostrat’s Assumption of Command ceremony March 5 at Maxwell Air Force Base. Ostrat returns to the 908th Airlift Wing after his previous stint as the director of operations of the wing’s 357th Airlift Squadron from July 2008 until December 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Bradley J. Clark)

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Ostrat Assumes Command of the 908th

Commander of 22nd Air Force, Maj. Gen. John Stokes (left) prepares to transfer command of the 908th Airlift Wing to Col. Kenneth Ostrat during an Assumption of Command ceremony March 5 at Maxwell Air Force Base. Ostrat returns to the wing having previously been the director of operations for the 357th Airlift Squadron from July 2008 until December 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Malia Belton)

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Ostrat Assumes Command of the 908th

Commander of the 908th Airlift Wing, Col. Kenneth Ostrat addresses the audience following his Assumption of Command ceremony March 5 at Maxwell Air Force Base. Ostrat was previously at the wing as the 357th Airlift Squadron’s director of operations from July 2008 until December 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Malia Belton

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Ostrat Assumes Command of the 908th

Joe Green, staff member of the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce, shakes hands with Lora Ostrat, while Tom Albrecht, Montgomery civic leader chats with newly minted commander of the 908th Airlift Wing, Col. Ken Ostrat. Green and Albrecht congratulated the Ostrats following his Assumption of Command ceremony March 5 at Maxwell Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Bradley J. Clark)

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Ostrat Assumes Command of the 908th

Commander of the 908th Airlift Wing, Col Ken Ostrat and his wife Lora catch up with an old friend, Mike Harper, retired chief loadmaster for the wing, following Ostrat’s Assumption of Command ceremony March 5 at Maxwell Air Force Base. Ostrat and Harper worked together during Ostrat’s previous stint with the wing as the 357th Airlift Squadron’s director of operations from 2008 until 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Bradley J. Clark)

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Ostrat Assumes Command of the 908th

Area civic leader, Tom Albrecht (left) and retired 908th Airlift Wing Mission Support Group commander, Col. Don Brown (center) congratulate Col. Kenneth Ostrat, commander of the 908th Airlift Wing. Congratulations were in order following Ostrat’s Assumption of Command ceremony March 5 at Maxwell Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Bradley J. Clark)

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Ostrat Assumes Command of the 908th

Published March 8, 2017
By Bradley J. Clark
908th Airlift Wing

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The 908th Airlift Wing has a familiar face rejoining its ranks, but this time in a new position.

The Commander of 22nd Air Force at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., Maj. Gen. John Stokes, transferred command of the 908th Airlift Wing to Col. Kenneth Ostrat during an Assumption of Command ceremony March 5, at Maxwell Air Force Base.

Ostrat had a previous stint with the 908th, serving as Director of Operations for the 357th Airlift Squadron from July 2008 until December 2012.

During the ceremony Stokes highlighted some of the demands and expectations the wing is preparing to face.

“This is a very special wing to me,” said Stokes, who also was a member of the 908th from 2001-2006. “This is a great place with special people. It’s also a busy place, and it’s that way because this wing is ready to get in the fight.”

“We have been going at a high pace for the last 26 years,” said Stokes. “And that takes a toll on our Airmen, equipment, and families. Let there be no mistake, we are about combat. We will continue to fight for this great country as long as there is an enemy in front of us and our families are behind us.”

Stokes then lauded the wing for its readiness.

“I am very confident that you are well prepared for whatever comes your way,” said Stokes. “And under Col. Ostrat’s leadership, you are in very good hands.”

During his comments, Ostrat addressed his return to the 908th and his expectations of the manner in which the wing will perform.

“It feels really good to be home,” explained Ostrat. “What we do matters, so when we deploy we will do so with excellence.”

Ostrat then explained the honor and pride he feels for the 908th.

“It’s a privilege to be here again and to be in this position,” said Ostrat. “Thank you very much.”

Ostrat’s previous assignment was Chief of the Programs Division, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

Ostrat replaces Col. David Condit, who commanded the 908th from May 2016 until December 2016. Col. Pat Brooks, Vice Commander of the wing has been in charge since Condit’s departure.