WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio — The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, welcomed its latest commander, Brig. Gen. Douglas Wickert, during a change of command ceremony on the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, June 3, 2026.
Lt. Gen. Linda Hurry, commander of Air Force Materiel Command, presided over the ceremony and formally transferred command from Brig. Gen. Jason Bartolomei to Wickert.
The ceremony marked the official switch of management for the Department of the Air Force’s main scientific analysis and improvement group.
“Wickert is a phenomenal leader. He’s passionate, he’s driven, he knows what the warfighter needs, and he wants us to move the throttle and go faster and faster and faster,” Hurry stated. “I have an unbelievable amount of confidence in the direction he’s going to take this command.”
Wickert assumes command following a distinguished profession spanning operational flying, check and analysis, acquisition and enterprise management assignments. Most not too long ago, he served as Director of Air, Space and Cyberspace Operations at Air Force Materiel Command, the place he oversaw coverage, assets and infrastructure supporting operational, cyber and check capabilities throughout the command.
A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, Wickert is a command pilot with greater than 2,000 flight hours in additional than 40 plane. He holds superior engineering levels from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a doctorate from the Air Force Institute of Technology.
“The best way to predict the future is to invent it. The best way to win the future is to invent it. If we are to preserve the peace of the world in this pivotal decade, our science and technology enterprise must answer that same call again,” Wickert stated. “It is our turn to discover, it is our turn to develop, it is our turn to deliver, and together our turn to win the future.”
During the ceremony, leaders additionally acknowledged Bartolomei for his service as commander and his contributions to the laboratory and the Department of the Air Force.
“He led the biggest redesign in over 30 years, completely reforming and redesigning the organizational structure to align with force design,” Hurry stated. “Jason was absolutely the right leader at the right time who truly made a difference, and it was a job extremely well done.”
Under Bartolomei’s management, AFRL strengthened collaboration throughout the Department of the Air Force, trade, academia and authorities whereas advancing key science and expertise priorities.
“AFRL is the most important organization in the Department of the Air Force because it is the only organization not just thinking about the future, but committed to winning it,” Bartolomei stated. “We are entering the next golden age of science and technology, and AFRL is well postured to bring the future faster for our nation.”
Bartolomei retired from the U.S. Air Force following 29 years of army service.
About AFRL
The Air Force Research Laboratory is the Department of the Air Force’s main scientific analysis and improvement heart and one of six facilities inside Air Force Materiel Command. AFRL leads the invention, improvement and supply of applied sciences for air, area and the multidomain. With a workforce spanning seven mission areas at greater than 40 places worldwide, AFRL conducts analysis starting from fundamental science to superior expertise improvement. For extra data, go to afresearchlab.com.