Sharpy steps in as temporary commander of 18th Air Force

Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Sharpy on Tuesday took temporary command of the 18th Air Force, based at Scott.

Sharpy, who is on loan from the Air Mobility Command, is taking command of the AMC’s only warfighting numbered air force until a change of command ceremony can be scheduled in September for Lt. Gen. Samuel Cox, the incoming 18th Air Force commander.

Sharpy graduated in 1987 with a bachelor of science degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.

From August 2014 to June 2015, Sharpy served as the 18th Air Force’s vice commander. In June of this year, he took over the job of director for stratetic plans, requirements and programs at AMC’s headquarters.

Cox, who currently serves as the Air Force's personnel chief, will replace Gen. Carlton D. Everhart III, who Tuesday took the reins of AMC during a change of command ceremony.

Everhart is replacing Gen. Darren McDew, whose nomination to serve as next commander of the U.S. Transportation Command, based at Scott, was approved by the full U.S. Senate in late July.

This story was originally published August 12, 2015 at 11:41 AM with the headline "Sharpy steps in as temporary commander of 18th Air Force."