BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The Eighth Air Force and Joint-Global Strike Operations Center welcomed a new commander to their storied history today during a ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base, La.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Jason Armagost assumed command from Maj. Gen. Andrew Gebara, who diligently served Eighth Air Force since August 2021. Gebara leaves the Mighty Eighth to become the Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration at Headquarters Air Force in Washington D.C.
Coming to the Eighth Air Force from Air Force Global Strike Command, Armagost previously served as the Director of Strategic Plans, Programs and Requirements. He was responsible for strategic planning, establishing requirements and programming advocacy for the nation's Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile force; B-1, B-2 and B-52 bombers; MH-139 and UH-1N helicopters; and the E-4B National Airborne Operations Center Aircraft; and Nuclear Command, Control and Communications systems.
Armagost is a 1992 graduate from the United States Air Force Academy. As a command pilot, he held a variety of positions to include commander of the 13th Bomb Squadron at Whiteman AFB, Missouri, 5th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB, North Dakota, and the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.
“It is an honor to be a part of this mission,’ said Armagost. “The Eighth Air Force has a long history of being at the center of Air Force operations, and I cannot wait to continue to build upon that legacy. The men and women that make this mission happen are the reason we’re the best fighting force in the world, and I’m honored for the opportunity to lead these Airmen.”
As commander of Eighth Air Force and Joint-Global Strike Operations Center, Armagost will be responsible for America’s premier B-1, B-2 and B-52 bomber force, overseeing bomber task force missions and mission planning elements conducted by the J-GSOC as well as the care of approximately 24,000 Airmen and their families.
Armagost is the 57th commander of the historic Eighth Air Force.