Today, we’re diving into the sudden and surprising dismissal of Col. Jeremiah Hammill from his command at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
Just days before he was scheduled to depart via a change-of-command ceremony, Hammill was relieved of his duties as commander of the 96th Test Wing Civil Engineer Group on July 15. This decision was confirmed by Air Force officials and reported by Military Times.
The specific reasons behind Hammill’s dismissal have not been detailed by Air Force officials, but a spokesperson from Air Force Materiel Command cited a “[loss of] confidence in [his] ability to lead” as the primary cause.
The spokesperson also mentioned that Hammill’s actions had “raised concerns about good order and discipline within [the unit],” though they did not provide further details on the circumstances leading to this decision.
Col. Michelle Sterling, who was already scheduled to take over Hammill’s position, has now assumed command. Sterling comes from a previous role as the commander of the 324th Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Mid Bay News was the first to report on Hammill’s firing.
When questioned about potential charges, the Air Force Materiel Command spokesperson refrained from speculating, emphasizing that relief of command could support subsequent adverse administrative actions according to Air Force regulations.
Col. Hammill had assumed command of the 96th Test Wing Civil Engineer Group in June 2022. This unit is responsible for testing and evaluating various Air Force air-delivered weapons, navigation and guidance systems, command and control systems, and Air Force Special Operations Command systems.
The wing provides services not only to the Air Force but also to other segments of the Department of Defense, and U.S. agencies such as the Department of Transportation and NASA.
The 96th Test Wing Civil Engineer Group oversees a vast infrastructure, including 11.6 million square feet of physical plant and over 3,200 facilities, making it a critical component of the Air Force’s operational capabilities.
