Lt Col Douglas Eoute becomes 107th Operations Group commander as unit undergoes mission change

Published Oct. 16, 2016
By Major Elaine Nowak
107th Airlift Wing

NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION -- A change of command ceremony was held here September 26, 2016 to officially designate Lt. Col. Douglas C. Eoute as the 107th Operations Group commander.

Eoute was selected to hold the position as his predecessor Lt. Col. Gary Charlton became the 107 Airlift Wing Vice Commander.

Eoute will be responsible for the organization, training and equipping of more than 380 Guardsmen from the four squadrons that comprise the 107th Operations Group; the 136th Attack Squadron, 107th Operations Support Squadron, and the newly acquired 222nd Command and Control Squadron and 274th Air Support Operations Squadron.

As part of the conversion to an MQ-9 Reaper unit, the 107th AW has recently gained the 222nd CCS and 274th ASOS under its wing. A redesignation to officially become the 107th Attack Wing will soon be announced.

Eoute is a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, where he earned a bachelor's degree in engineering mechanics in 1987. Following Undergraduate Pilot Training, he completed follow on training in the KC-135R Stratotanker. He served on active duty for more than seven years at Griffis Air Force Base, N.Y. Eoute joined the New York Air National Guard in 1994.

Since joining the 107th AW, Eoute has served as an instructor and evaluator pilot. He has been a flight commander, operations officer and commander of the 136th Air Refueling and 107th AW Aircraft Maintenance Squadrons as well as his most recent assignment as the 107th AW chief of safety.

A combat veteran, Eoute has served in Operations Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Desert Strike, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn and Enduring Freedom. He is a command pilot with over 5,800 hours in the KC-135R Stratotanker, C-130H2 Hercules, T37B Tweet, T-38A Talon and MQ-9 Reaper. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

As an MQ-9 Reaper pilot, Eoute is qualified in both mission combat and launch and recovery. He deployed this summer in support of operations in United States Africa Command.
"Doug's experience in every area of operations group, safety and his maintenance commander experience have given him the skills necessary to handle any challenge he will face," Col. Robert Kilgore, 107th Airlift Wing Commander.

"I'm relying on his dedication to the Airmen as well as the mission to make sure our wing executes our federal responsibilities with skill and professionalism, said Kilgore. "I have no doubt that the Airmen are in good hands with Lt. Col. Eoute in command." Eoute says he looks forward to aggressively working to get the unit to 'initial operational capability' status in the next calendar year. Once that milestone is met, the challenges continue as the unit plans to be 'full operational capable' in 2019.

"I will enjoy this position as it gives me the ability to affect positive changes in the organization," Eoute said.

At the ceremony, Eoute addressed the men and women under his command saying, "Together we can achieve great things. Now let's boldly take on those challenges before us and move on to the next chapter of the 107th Operations Group."