NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — Leadership officially changed hands at Joint Base Charleston on June 17 as the 628th Air Base Wing conducted its Change of Command ceremony, marking the transition from Colonel Jason H. “JP” Parker to Colonel Kenneth M. “Mike” Shirley II.
The ceremony symbolizes the formal transfer of responsibility, authority, and accountability for one of the Department of Defense’s most significant joint installations. Joint Base Charleston serves as home to more than 70 military and federal mission partners and supports global airlift, maritime transport, and power projection operations.
As commander of the 628th Air Base Wing and Joint Base Charleston, Shirley assumes responsibility for $7.5 billion in base property and assets across 23,000 acres, oversight of an annual budget exceeding $172 million, and support for more than 132,000 service members, civilians, retirees, and family members…