26th APS welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By SMSgt Minnie Jones
  • 433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-Lackland --  
In a brief ceremony on March 9, 2014, Lt. Col. Jason Exum, assumed command of the 26th Aerial Port Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Craig Petersen, 433rd Mission Support Group commander officiated the ceremony.

Exum replaces Lt. Col. Jamar Scott, who commanded the APS since June 2011. Scott is now serving as the 459th Air Refueling Wing's Deputy Mission Support Group Commander, Joint Base Andrews, Md. Scott has also been selected to attend Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. in July.

"Lt. Col. Scott has been saddled manning challenges and fiscal hurdles, and through it all has successfully guided his unit," Peterson said.

"You have ensured the members of your organization are optimally trained while insisting upon their achieving full potential, you're an awesome leader, teacher, coach and mentor. You have ensured your unit has maintained high standards and mission readiness."

Prior to joining the 26th APS, Exum was commander of the 419th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah. As commander, he was responsible for fuels, transportation, supply, and logistics plans in the 419th Fighter Wing.

"In my search for a new 26th APS squadron commander, it didn't take long for me to recognize Lt. Col. Jason Exum was definitely the absolute best choice for the job," said Petersen. "I have enormous trust and confidence in Jason's leadership; he is a warrior who understands the mission."

Exum entered the Air Force after graduating from Officer Training School in 1998. His background and qualifications include 10 years of active duty and five years of Reserve experience in the Air Force Logistics Readiness Officer Field.

He has held numerous positions in the Air Force, including fuels management flight commander, 27th Supply Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, N.M: distribution flight commander; installation deployment officer, 31st Logistics Readiness Squadron, Aviano Air Force Base, Italy; Headquarters, U.S. Air Force logistics career broadening officer, Tinker AFB, Okla; Executive officer, 448th Combat Sustainment Wing, Tinker AFB, Okla; Assistant operation's officer, 726th Air Mobility Squadron, Spangdahlem AFB, Germany; B-1 logistics officer, B-1 Production Support Branch, Tinker AFB, Okla; student, Air Command and Staff College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala; director of operations, 67th Aerial Port Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah.

Exum graduated from Baylor University, Waco, Texas in 1998 with Bachelor of Arts of Business Administration in Management in 2006. He received a Master in Human Relations, Leadership, from the University of Oklahoma, Norman, Okla.

In his civilian job, Exum works for Defense Logistics Agency Energy Americas in Houston, Texas, where he serves as Deputy Director, DLA Energy Americas East.
In this position, he manages fuel and cryogenic operations in support of NORTHCOM, SOUTHCOM and TRANSCOM. He also manages support to joint, inter-agency, and multi-national operations an area of responsibility, including 37 states, Central/South America and the Caribbean and synthesizes complex energy support requirements for over 300 joint and combined customers, providing over 2.6 billion gallons of integrated fuel support and other energy products to 279 military installations, federal agencies and other customers.

"As a squadron we will be persistent- we will not quite until the job is done right. We will give a 110% effort and strive to consistently be excellent in everything we do," said Exum. "I believe that taking care of people will result in mission success, this is how I will lead."