Photos by Senior Airman Vaughn Weber
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs July 17, 2026
U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Johnson, Chief Exchange and Liaison Division deputy, transfers command to Lt Col. Brendan McKenney, Military Personnel Exchange Program Air Force Element incoming commander, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 1, 2026. The change of command ceremony is a long-standing military tradition that represents the formal transfer of responsibility from one officer to another. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Vaughn Weber)
U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Johnson, Chief Exchange and Liaison Division deputy, Lt Col. Brendan McKenney, Military Personnel Exchange Program Air Force Element incoming commander, and Lt Col. Celestine Lukshis, Military Personnel Exchange Program Air Force Element outgoing commander, stand at attention after a change of command at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 1, 2026. Change of command ceremonies are a U.S. military tradition that introduces new commanders to their units and is their first chance to address their team officially. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Vaughn Weber)
U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Johnson, Chief Exchange and Liaison Division deputy, shakes hands with Lt Col. Celestine Lukshis, Military Personnel Exchange Program Air Force Element outgoing commander, during a change of command ceremony at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 1, 2026. An MPEP officer or noncommissioned officer is fully integrated performing duties identical to their foreign counterparts, effectively becoming a member of the host nation’s military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Vaughn Weber)
U.S. Air Force Lt Col. Celestine Lukshis, right, Military Personnel Exchange Program Air Force Element outgoing commander, passes the guidon symbolizing the relinquishment of command to Col. Robert Johnson, Chief Exchange and Liaison Division deputy, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 1, 2026. Fluency in the native language of the host country is required to be selected for the MPEP, this ensures the member is able to integrate as flawlessly as possible. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Vaughn Weber)
U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Johnson, Chief Exchange and Liaison Division deputy, and Lt Col. Celestine Lukshis, Military Personnel Exchange Program Air Force Element outgoing commander, pose for a photo during a change of command ceremony at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 1, 2026. The MPEP is a specialized, two-to-three year assignment that embeds Airmen completely into foreign Allied air forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Vaughn Weber)
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