U.S. Air Force Col. Jack R. Arthaud, 33rd Wing incoming commander, speaks for the first time as commander during his change of command ceremony, July 30, 2021, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Arthaud took command after serving as the Weapons School commander at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. (Heather LeVeille/U.S. Air Force)
ABERDEEN, Wash. (Tribune News Service) — Hoquiam, Wash., native Col. Jack R. Arthaud was recently named commander of the U.S. Air Force 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
Arthaud was born and raised in Hoquiam, attending Lincoln Elementary and Hoquiam Middle schools. He played football, basketball and baseball for four years at Hoquiam High School and graduated in 1995.
News of Arthaud's command was mentioned by Hoquiam City Councilman Paul McMillan at a recent council meeting.
"He was my fourth-grade teacher at Lincoln," said Arthaud.
Arthaud's wife, the former Natalie Graham, graduated from Hoquiam High School in 1997.
"She was born in Enid, Oklahoma, which ended up being kind of funny," said Arthaud. "She moved from Enid at the age of 2 and I'm not sure if she'd ever been back to Enid, but when we got married my first duty assignment was to Vance Air Force Base in Enid."
The couple has four boys, the oldest a sophomore in high school. With his dad's career and constant moves, Arthaud said he's been in eight different schools.
A change of command ceremony installing Arthaud was held July 30 at Eglin Air Force Base. He assumed command from Col. Jon S. Wheeler Jr. before the presiding officer Maj. Gen. Craig D. Wills, 19th Air Force commander.
Wills praised the 33rd for its continued contributions to the Air Force's newest 5th-generation fighter, the F-35A Lightning II and congratulated Arthaud for being chosen to continue the wing's almost 80-year legacy in airpower.
"We celebrate the fact that the Air Force sent us another great leader and another great family to continue this wing's great legacy," said Wills.
Arthaud came to the 33rd from his previous position as the United States Air Force Weapons School commandant at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. Arthaud is a command pilot with more than 2,000 flight hours and has served in five fighter squadrons.
He has aided multiple operations, flying in combat missions over Iraq for Operation Southern Watch and Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom, as well as leading Operation Noble Eagle missions over the United States.
"It is truly an honor to return to the wing and do my part to uphold the lineage and tradition of excellence," said Arthaud at the change of command ceremony.
As the commander of the 33rd, Arthaud will lead the F-35A Lightning II flying program and host the F-35 A/B/C maintenance training for the Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy, as well as F-35 training needs for 13 international allies. The wing is also responsible for U.S. Air Force and international air battle manager training at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, and intelligence formal training at Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field in Florida.
"We will continue to build the world's finest warriors and leaders, able to compete and win anywhere in the world," said Arthaud.
The Arthaud family has some history in the military.
"My grandfather on my father's side, whom I was named for, he served in the Army Air Corps," said Arthaud. "My father served a short period in the Navy, and my uncle was in the Army somewhere between two and four years and went to Vietnam."
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