73 APS welcomes new commander

Official Statements

• 301st Fighter Wing, November 8: “Naval Air Station joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas - U.S. Air Force Maj. Charles Smith assumed command of the 73rd Aerial Port Squadron during a ceremony here Nov. 7, 2026.

  Smith succeeded Lt. Col. Rodney Ellison, who led the 133-member squadron during Operation Epic Fury and spearheaded personnel integration across three high-visibility joint exercises. Col. Robert Wieman, 301st Mission Support Group commander, presided over the ceremony and challenged the unit to maintain its momentum.

  “Many of you saw firsthand the challenges of the wars we’re going to be fighting in the future,” Wieman said. “We have to continue to evolve our training to prepare, and you are all critical enablers in those future fights. I want to challenge you to continue to do that under Maj. Smith’s leadership.”

  Smith brings 25 years of Air Force experience, having enlisted in 2001 and earned his commission in 2015. Most recently, he served as chief of the Logistics Readiness Division at Headquarters 10th Air Force. His background also includes special duty assignments on a presidential security detail and service with the 307th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, where he served as wing installation deployment officer and filled in as acting commander while the squadron commander was deployed.

  “[Smith] is committed to empowering those under his leadership and getting a ‘yes’ for the mission,” Wieman said. “It’s great to look at challenges as ‘yes we can do that,’ and we need to look at how we can do it.”

  During his remarks, Smith highlighted the squadron’s performance during its recent deployment and thanked members for their dedication before outlining his priorities.

  “I am deeply humbled to be among your ranks,” Smith said. “I will constantly strive to provide you with the leadership, resources, and advocacy you need to execute the mission, advance your training and opportunities, and support your growth as Airmen.”

  Ellison moves on to serve as the director of public affairs for Air Force Global Strike Command. During his farewell remarks, he reflected on the unit’s resilience.

  “My philosophy has always been that tough times don’t last, but tough people do,” Ellison said. “You are some of the toughest women and men I have ever served with. Thank you for doing the hard things to make this squadron one of the greatest in the Air Force Reserve.”