Gentry Takes Command of the 188th Operations Group

  • Published
  • By By 2nd Lt. Dylan Hollums
  • 188th Wing
EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, FORT SMITH, Ark. --  The 188th Wing hosted a formal change of command ceremony Sunday Feb. 4 at Ebbing Air National Guard Base as Lt. Col. Jeremiah Gentry took command of the 188th OG.

“Lt. Col. Gentry, you’ve been a squadron commander and excelled”, said Col. Robert Kinney, 188th Wing Commander. “I’m excited to have you at the helm. I most certainly expect you to continue our already established reputation for excellence. You are now the leader who is required to look at the big picture and take the long look.”

Col. Leon Dodroe relinquished command of the 188th Operations Group and presented gifts to his wife and son for their continued support of his career and service.  Dodroe, a former Army intelligence officer, also served as a command pilot with over 4300 flying hours in manned rotary, fixed wing and unmanned ISR platforms.

Col. Dodroe will continue to serve as the 188th Wing Vice Commander where he is responsible for assisting the commander in maintaining the combat capability of near 1,000 members of the 188th Wing across its several mission sets. The Wing provides decision advantage, strike and combat support capabilities worldwide while also supporting domestic relief efforts during times of emergency.

Lt. Col. Gentry, a Fort Smith native, is an accomplished combat pilot.  After graduating from the Air Force Academy in 2000, Gentry entered pilot training and flew the F-16 while stationed in South Korea before transitioning to the unmanned MQ-9 platform. In 2011, Lt. Col. Gentry left active duty and joined the Arkansas Air National where he deployed with 188th Fighter Wing flying the A-10.

He will now command the Arkansas Air National Guard's 188th Operations Group, where he will provide leadership and guidance to airmen, ensuring their combat readiness and effective mission tasking in the support of combat commands.

“Where do we want to be?” Gentry challenged his group.  “I am honored to be your commander, let’s do something we can all be proud of.”