U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael Conley, commander Air Force Special Operations Command, passes the organizational flag of the 353rd Special Operations Wing to Col. Stewart Parker, incoming 353rd SOW commander, during a change of command ceremony at Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 18, 2025. The ceremony formally transferred command of the 353rd SOW from Col. Shawn Young to Col. Parker. (Airman 1st Class Amy Kelley, U.S. Air Force)
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The change of command ceremony formally transferred command of the 353rd Special Operations Wing from Col. Shawn Young to Col. Stewart Parker. The 353rd SOW plans and executes general war and contingency operations using advanced aircraft, tactics, and techniques to infiltrate, exfiltrate, resupply and support Special Operations Forces.
