Barnes Center

Col. Edward Thomas Jr. assumes command of the Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education from Lt. Gen. Steven Kwast, Air University commander and president, at Maxwell Air Force Base, Aug. 3. Thomas previously served as the U.S. European Command director of Public Affairs. He was responsible for integrating the command’s communication efforts with its component commands, partner nations, and U.S. embassies in 51 countries within its area of focus. (U.S. Air Force photo by Bud Hancock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Thomas assumes command of Barnes Center

Published Aug. 11, 2015
By Senior Airman William J. Blankenship
42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Col. Edward Thomas Jr. assumed command of the Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education at Maxwell Air Force Base, Aug. 3.

Thomas previously served as the U.S. European Command director of Public Affairs. He was responsible for integrating the command's communication efforts with its component commands, partner nations, and U.S. embassies in 51 countries within its area of focus.

"My family and I are extremely grateful to be back at Maxwell and part of the Air University team," said Thomas, who has been in and out of Maxwell for the past 20 years. "I have benefited tremendously from what Air University brings to our Air Force. Several months after I graduated from Air Command and Staff College, I was sitting on a three-person panel fielding a variety of questions from junior officers when it hit me how much I had absorbed during my time here. My view of the Air Force and the joint force had expanded and the other two majors on the panel had not had the opportunity to attend class here and it was realization of what type of game-changer professional military education, done right, can be."

The Texas A&M University graduate was commissioned in 1990 and has served in wing, major command, Air Staff, and joint command positions and has commanded at the squadron and group levels.

"Our people, and the investment we make in them, are what make us the greatest Air Force on the planet," he said. "We must be strategic in how we think about problems, and we must be innovative in how we approach them. The Pentagon and other major commands need the intellectual and problem solving capacity that we, here in this place, bring to the fight. This institution plays a pivotal role in getting our enlisted corps ready to step up and make a difference. I'm proud to now be joining you."

The new commander said that he looks forward to continuing the mission at the Barnes Center and being part of AU's transformation efforts.

"The nation needs deep and critical thinkers in this ever-changing world," he said. "My family and I are very excited to be a part of this institution and university and part of this team and are ready to get to know each of you."