Submitted by Senior Master Sgt. Andrew Merlock
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – Family, friends and members of the NJ Air National Guard 177th Fighter Wing gathered together for a Change of Command ceremony Nov. 3 at the Atlantic City Airbase.
The event symbolized the passing of the torch from U.S. Air Force Col. Derek B. Routt, commander since April 2021, to Col. Benjamin W. Robbins, former commander of the 177th Operations Group. During the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Bradford R. Everman, commander of the New Jersey Air National Guard, offered words of encouragement to the incoming commander.
“I’m excited for you and probably a little bit jealous too,” Everman said. “You’re about to embark on what I will tell you was probably one of the most amazing parts of my career.”
The event marks the end of an era for Routt, who served as commander during key milestones in the 177th FW’s history.
During Routt's tenure, the 177th FW was one of the last Air National Guard units to be deployed to Afghanistan. The 177th FW was also the first unit to participate in the Air National Guard's Production Assessment Team in 2022 and one of the first Air National Guard units on a deployment to the Middle East, after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack against Israel.
During his address, Routt took the opportunity to thank the members of the 177th FW and their families.
“Every Jersey Devil family bears the burden and full weight every time we go away,” Routt said. “I just want to thank you so much for your sacrifice, for your service.”
Robbins, who initially enlisted into the Air Force as a tactical aircraft maintainer and commissioned as a second lieutenant from the Academy of Military Sciences in 2002, joined the 177th FW in 2010 as the 119th Fighter Squadron’s chief of aircrew standardization and evaluation.
During his tenure with the 177th FW, Robbins has served as the commander of the 119th Fighter Squadron, deputy commander of 177th Operations Group, and, most recently, commander of the 177th Operations Group.
In his initial address to the 177th FW as their new commander, Robbins stressed the importance of being a team.
“Together, we’ve accomplished remarkable feats, and we’ll continue to do that,” Robbins said. “Teamwork and camaraderie are a huge part of it, we are a team. We’re going to win as a team, we’re going to fail as a team, but as long as we remain a team, at the end of the day, that’s what’s important to me.”
