The 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group (AMOG) hosted its Change of Command Ceremony May 21, 2026. During the event, presided over by Maj. Gen. Darren R. Cole, 21st Air Force commander, the responsibility of command was passed from Col. Allen C. Morris, Jr., 43rd AMOG outgoing commander, to Col. Brian K. Steinke, 43rd AMOG incoming commander.
Change of commands are time-honored military traditions that officially signify the “passing of the torch” from one commander to another. Additionally, it affords the outgoing commander a venue to provide final remarks to the formation and gives the incoming commander an opportunity to address those under their command for the first time.
“Looking back at our time at Pope, I’m most proud of the relationships and bonds our organizations forged,” Morris said addressing the Airmen of Pope for the last time. “Thank you all for being a part of our last 2.5 years here. Two and a half years is a bit of a non-standard timeline for group command in the Air Force, but I remain beyond-humbled by the responsibility and the trust to lead Airmen.”
After giving well wishes to the Airmen of Pope, command was transferred to Col. Brian K. Steinke. The mission and trajectory of the 43rd AMOG is not new to Steinke. Prior to taking command, he served as the deputy commander from August 2024 to May of 2026.
“I'm excited,” Steinke said emphatically while providing his remarks. “I've been a part of this team for a year and a half already. I know what we're capable of. I know directions that we're looking to go. Colonel Morris set us up for great success in the future. I'm looking forward to carrying it on.”
He then went on to thank those whom he had already built working relationships with during his tenure as deputy commander as he assumed his new role.
“I would like to thank Col. Morris for his leadership through a rough time for the 43rd AMOG and all the leadership teams who led through those times,” he said. “Additionally, [I want to thank] the men and women of the 43rd AMOG who have done so much over the last two years to get Pope to where it is today and on a continuing upward vector.”
As the event came to a close, Steinke gave the Airmen and civilians of Team Pope a brief glimpse into his vision for the 43rd AMOG.
“We're going to continue to evolve the way we perform outload operations with Task Force Gryphon. We will improve that process moving forward since completing the most recent effort in May. We have several lessons to learn [from that] and processes to codify,” he concluded.