A decorated Air Force pilot who has flown more than 1,300 combat hours, including for U.S. operations in the Middle East, is now leading the service’s only permanently assigned fighter air wing south of the Alps. Col. Beau Diers relieved Brig. Gen. Tad Clark of command of the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base on Friday, the installation said in a statement the same day.

Maj. Gen. Paul Moga, commander of the 3rd Air Force, presided over the ceremony, which included the traditional passing of the guidon. In taking command, Diers noted Aviano’s high operational tempo but said “there’s no place I’d rather be because we’re busy with a purpose and what we do matters.”