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
The name of Col. Christopher 'Cli' Ridlon is unveiled on the commander's F-15 aircraft during the 159th Fighter Wing change of command ceremony at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, July 11, 2026. Ridlon assumed command of the wing during the ceremony. Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Farrell
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…
