159th Fighter Wing Conducts Change of Command Ceremony

Maj. Gen. Thomas Friloux, the adjutant general of Louisiana, passes the unit guidon to Col. Christopher 'Cli' Ridlon during the 159th Fighter Wing change of command ceremony at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, July 11, 2026. The passing of the guidon symbolizes the formal transfer of command. Photo by Technical Sgt. Cindy Au-Wiafe
Maj. Gen. Thomas Friloux, the adjutant general of Louisiana, passes the unit guidon to Col. Christopher 'Cli' Ridlon during the 159th Fighter Wing change of command ceremony at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, July 11, 2026. The passing of the guidon symbolizes the formal transfer of command. Photo by Technical Sgt. Cindy Au-Wiafe

Col. Christopher 'Cliff' Ridlon assumed command of the 159th Fighter Wing from Col. David 'Ripper' Anderson during a formal change of command ceremony at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, July 11, 2026.

Ridlon assumes command with nearly three decades of operational and leadership experience. Commissioned in 1998 after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Sc…