Under the giant American Flag inside the McKinley Climactic Laboratory that Eglin owes its longevity to – Colonel Chris Keithley took over command of the 96th Test Wing From Brig. General Mark Massaro, Tuesday.
Keithley takes over a test and research wing that both men’s boss, Major General Scott Cain, highlighted as critical to the future success of the United States Air Force and foreign policy. “The threats we face in the air, in space, in cyberspace are complex and evolving and scaling fast,” General Cain said. “But just as Eglin was the answer then, you’re the answer now.”
He praised Massaro for modernizing test infrastructure, championing new test methods and keeping Eglin’s ranges — “the crown jewels of our test enterprise” — ready for a surge in weapons testing and urgent operational needs.
“You’re leaving the 96th better, faster, and more capable than when you arrived,” he told Massaro in front of more than 1,000 airmen, civilian personnel, contractors and local dignitaries.
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Massaro called the moment “bittersweet,” citing the wing’s accomplishments and the strain of leaving a team he has grown close to. He thanked airmen, civilians, community partners and his family, and said the wing had “defined test readiness” over the last two years.
He urged airmen to continue taking care of one another, noting the recent loss of test community members at Edwards Air Force Base.
After the official orders were read and the wing exchanged traditional final and first salutes, Keithley addressed airmen, families, mission partners, and local leaders gathered in the hangar.
Keithley said readiness is “baked into Eglin’s DNA”, highlighting current deployments and the base’s long history supporting combat operations. He also pointed to ongoing modernization efforts and a strong emphasis on caring for airmen and their families, including helping agencies and quality‑of‑life improvements.
He praised the wing’s attention to detail and urged the team not to grow complacent.
“Don’t rest on your laurels,” Keithley said. “I need you to continuously assess the assumptions in your work and keep asking why — why we’re doing this, and why we’re doing it this way.”
The ceremony included the unveiling of the 96th Test Wing’s flagship F‑15EX bearing Keithley’s name and a formal welcome to his family.
