Lt. Col. Samuel Shamburg assumed command of the 459th Airlift Squadron from Lt. Col. Joseph Walters during a change of command ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Jan. 11.

The 459th Airlift Squadron maintains a forward presence in the Pacific and provides responsive airlift support for distinguished visitors, as well as other priority passengers and cargo, on travel vital to the national security interest of the United States. Maintains both UH-1N and C-12J mission-ready aircrews to conduct aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue and priority airlift missions throughout the Pacific.