JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center welcomed its new Air Force Services Center commander on July 10 and said farewell to outgoing commander Col. Carolyn Ammons.
AFIMSC Commander Maj. Gen. John Allen presided over the change of command ceremony at Joint Base San ANtonio-Lackland, during which Col. E. Jonelle “Jo” Eychner took the reins of the unit tasked with delivering services programs and activities to build and sustain ready and resilient Airmen, Guardians and their families across 83 Department of the Air Force installations.
As a packed crowd gathered to say goodbye to “an awesome commander and welcome in another awesome commander,” the general said the Air Force somehow manages to bring the right commander at the right time to the right place over and over again.
At AFSVC, where the four big rocks are feeding, fitness, lodging and child and youth services, “It takes leaders who have a tremendous, credible depth of subject matter expertise, leaders who have a breadth of perspective around this global enterprise, and leaders who are passionate because those are the leaders who take on problems from the field to help solve them. I am thrilled to say that’s who we’ve had working and leading in the AFSVC for the last few years in Colonel Ammons,” Allen said.
“In Col. Eychner,” he continued, “we have a commander who has commanded five services squadrons, a force support squadron, a mission support group … twice served on combatant command staffs, served at the Air Force Personnel Center, served on the Air Staff and, for a year, served as an air advisor in Afghanistan. You can see, in a nutshell, depth, subject matter expertise, and breadth, and I know a compassionate leader. We are thankful you are here – right leader, right place, right time.”
After taking the unit guidon from the general, Eychner, a native of nearby New Braunfels, Texas, said, “I look forward to continuing the legacy of Col. Ammons. It is a privilege to take the reins from a leader with such foresight, vision and love for the services center. You have left a legacy of excellence and I will do my best to keep that going.”
To the AFSVC team, Eychner said she firmly believes the AFSVC professionals provide the foundation for today’s warfighters.
“The experiences our service members have are made better because of the countless hours each and every one of you spend driving innovation to keep pace with the needs of our Airmen and Guardians,” she said. “I am super excited to join you in continuing to make the lives better for the Airmen, Guardians, families and retirees we serve.”
“I truly believe the services center mission enables the human spirit to flourish and grow through the programs we offer,” the new commander said. “We have an opportunity to kindle that spirit; to provide a competent, fiery, confident and enthusiastic spirit. What our team does, without a doubt, is critical to all warfighters and to building communities. I pledge to give my best to the AFSVC team and accept fully the challenges of this command.”
Eychner comes to AFIMSC from U.S. Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, where she was the manpower and personnel director. Her other assignments include command tours at the 60th Force Support Squadron, 51st Mission Support Group and multiple deployments to numerous locations in U.S. Central Command (full biography).
After a 27-year Air Force career, Ammons retires from active duty service on July 12 with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2025.