For the first time in the history of the 99th Air Base Wing at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, a woman has assumed command of the unit.
Col. Christine Littlejohn officially took command during a ceremony held on July 17, marking a milestone for the organization while taking responsibility for one of the Air Force’s key installation support wings.
Littlejohn now leads 12 squadrons and two groups responsible for providing essential support for base operations.
Her new role places her in charge of the organization that helps keep one of the military’s premier combat aviation installations operating on a daily basis.
According to information released by Nellis Air Force Base, Littlejohn succeeds Col. Jason Glynn, who served as commander for the previous two years.
The transition took place during a formal change of command ceremony attended by military personnel and leadership.
Military Times asked base officials about the historic nature of the appointment.
While officials did not specifically comment on Littlejohn becoming the first woman to lead the wing, they did provide a list of previous commanders showing that all 16 of her predecessors were men.
A spokesperson for Nellis emphasized that leadership selections are based on qualifications rather than demographic factors. “The Air Force selects its commanders strictly on merit,” a Nellis spokesperson said.
“Col. Littlejohn has experience at various levels of command, ensuring the 99th Air Base Wing continues to maintain the highest standards of mission readiness and combat capability.”
Before arriving at Nellis, Littlejohn served as commander of the 502nd Installation Support Group at Joint Base San Antonio in Texas.
In that position, she oversaw installation support functions for one of the military’s largest joint bases, giving her experience managing complex operations involving multiple organizations.
Throughout her military career, Littlejohn has held both strategic and operational assignments across several major commands as well as positions at Air Force headquarters.
Those assignments provided experience in planning, leadership, and support operations that prepared her for command of the 99th Air Base Wing.
Her record also includes support for several major combat operations conducted by the United States military.
According to the official announcement, Littlejohn provided critical support to deployments connected to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve.
Littlejohn replaces Glynn following a period that included several significant challenges at Nellis.
During his tenure, the base navigated a federal government shutdown and restructuring involving the civilian workforce while continuing day to day operations.
The official statement also credited Glynn with leading recovery efforts following an F 16C Fighting Falcon aircraft incident.
In addition, base leadership highlighted work to address security threats affecting the installation’s main gate, along with other accomplishments during his command.
The 99th Air Base Wing performs a broad range of installation support missions that enable operations across Nellis Air Force Base.
The organization supports more than 10,000 personnel assigned to the Air Force Warfare Center, five wings, and 52 tenant units located on the installation.
Its responsibilities include maintaining the infrastructure and services needed for operational testing, tactics development, and training across the air, space, and cyberspace domains.
Those missions help ensure units stationed at Nellis can conduct advanced training and readiness activities.
Nellis Air Force Base remains one of the Air Force’s most important training locations for combat aviation.
The installation is home to a wide variety of aircraft, including fighter jets, bombers, aerial refueling aircraft, and transport platforms that support advanced exercises and operational preparation.
Overall, approximately 14,000 military members and civilian personnel work at the base.
With Littlejohn now in command of the 99th Air Base Wing, she assumes responsibility for the installation support organization that helps sustain those missions while maintaining readiness for current and future operations.
