Laisa Leao
The 412th Mission Support Group held a change of command ceremony to bid farewell to Col. Jarod Blecher and welcomed Col. Christopher Carnduff at Edwards Air Force Base, California, July 15.
Col. Douglas Wickert, 412th Test Wing Commander, officiated the event and highlighted Blecher’s contributions to the 412th MSG and to the Edwards community.
“Col. Jarod Blecher has led the MSG with compassion, with poise, with resolve and purpose. His dedication to the men and women of the MSG was instrumental not only in their success, but in the success of the wider Edwards AFB mission,” said Wickert. “The 412 MSG provides mission support to over 12,000 personnel, as well as their families assigned to the Air Force Test Center, the 412th Test Wing, the Air Force Research Laboratory, NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Defense Contract Management Agency, Plant 42.”
Blecher was presented with the recognition of the Legion of Merit for playing a fundamental role in obtaining approval from the Office of the Secretary of Defense for a temporary living expense extension, which relieved 4,500 joint service members of a collective burden of $20 million.
In his remarks, Blecher reflected on Gen. David W. Allvin’s publication The case for a change and added that “Change is not an option but a necessity, and it starts at Edwards AFB, in the 412th Test Wing.” Blecher then highlighted the four core areas that demand attention: how the Air Force develops its people, generate readiness, project power, and develop capabilities. He said that “All these focus areas begin at the 412th Test Wing, who will continue to rise to the challenge and remain competitive.”
The incoming commander, Carnduff has previously served as the Chief, Strategy and Plans Division, Directorate of Civil Engineering, Headquarters Air Force, Washington, D.C. In Carnduff’s new role as the 412th MSG commander, he will lead over 1,400 personnel and directs force protection, communications, civilian/military personnel administration, supply, transportation, fuels, and deployment activities; as well as morale, welfare, and recreation services. He will also serve as the liaison to the local school districts, Army and Air Force Exchange Service, and the Defense Commissary Agency.
The 412th Mission Support Group held a change of command ceremony to bid farewell to Col. Jarod Blecher and welcomed Col. Christopher Carnduff at Edwards Air Force Base, California, July 15. 
The 412th Mission Support Group held a change of command ceremony to bid farewell to Col. Jarod Blecher and welcomed Col. Christopher Carnduff at Edwards Air Force Base, California, July 15.