EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, FORT SMITH, Ark. -- The 188th Wing conducted a formal change of command ceremony here, Dec. 4, 2021 as Lt. Col. Kipp T. Parker took command of the 188th Operations Group.
“Kipp, I encourage you to lead your Airman with conviction and to lead them well,” said Col Jeremiah S.
Gentry, 188th Wing commander. “My Christmas gift to you is elite Airman, that are ready to move into the
next battle. It needs to be joint, it needs to be dominate and agile. They need to be able to rapidly adapt to
an ever changing environment and deploy on a moments notice, homeland or abroad.”
Parker, a native of Silverdale, Wash., has command experience serving as the 184th Attack Squadron
commander from December 2019 to October 2021. He most recently served as the Deputy Commander,
188th Operations Group. He is a command pilot with more than 4,100 flying hours, 10 deployments and
qualified in five major weapon systems that include: C-130E/H3, MQ-1, PC-12, U-28 and MQ-9 aircraft.
After graduating in 2001 with a degree in geography, specializing in Geographical Information Systems
(GIS) from Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Wash., he commissioned into Reserve Officer
Training Corps Detachment 895.
He will now command the 188th Mission Operations Group, where he will lend leadership and guidance to
more than 210 Airmen who fly, analyze and provide 24/7 combat operations at Ebbing ANGB.
“I look forward to be part of your success and I am proud to be part of your future.” said Parker. “You are all
fantastic individuals and I can only image what we are going to do in the future.”
Col. Patric D. Coggin relinquished command of the 188th Operations Group and presented gifts to his wife
and daughter for their continued support of his career and service. Coggin was selected for a statutory tour
with the 1st Air Force, where he will serve on their staff at Tydall Air Force Base.