517th TRG welcomes new commander

Published June 16, 2025
By Staff Sgt. Nathan Call
17 Training Wing Public Affairs

PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. --

The 517th Training Group conducted a change of command ceremony on Soldier Field, Presidio of Monterey, California, June 12.

The 517th TRG welcomed the incoming commander, Col. Jason Guyette, and thanked Col. Mark Jones for his hard work and dedication over the last two years.

“Our number one priority here is our students, they are the driving factor,” said Col. Jones, who, along with being the 517th Commander, is also the Assistant Commandant for the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. During his tenure as Assistance Commandant, the student footprint grew significantly. “We expanded the mission by going from 1700 students at the beginning of 2024 to 2800 students in 2025.”

517th TRG welcomes new commander

U.S. Air Force Col. Angelina Maguinness, 17th Training Wing commander, speaks to attendees during the 517th Training Group change of command ceremony on Soldier Field at the Presidio of Monterey, California, June 12, 2025. The 517th TRG is integrated with the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center and is responsible for training more than 3,600 students in more than 24 different foreign languages. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Nathan Call)

With Guyette’s dual role as the Assistant Commandant, he will oversee language instruction for approximately 34,000 Department of Defense personnel each year across 89 languages and 29 global locations. He will manage a team of 1,800 instructors and 250 joint-service staff who support language education, proficiency assessments, and curriculum development to prepare linguists for mission success. In his role as the 517th Training Commander, Guyette will command two Air Force squadrons totaling 1,300 Airmen, most of whom are in training to become Air Force cryptologic linguists.

“We want the students to focus on forming good habits so they are performing at the world class athlete level, but mentally.” said Col. Guyette. “We need language enabled warriors and leaders who can think critically, communicate effectively and understand with cultural fluency the languages of our partners and challengers both.”

517th TRG welcomes new commander

U.S. Air Force Col. Angelina Maguinness, 17th Training Wing commander, presents the Legion of Merit award to the 517th Training Group outgoing commander, Col. Mark Jones, during the 517th TRG change of command ceremony on Soldier Field at the Presidio of Monterey, California, June 12, 2025. Jones served as the assistant commandant and the 517th TRG commander, directing language training for 34,000 Department of Defense personnel annually in more than 24 languages at 29 sites worldwide. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Nathan Call)

“The mission of training linguists is vital to our joint intelligence and national security enterprise, and the team here is dedicated, innovative, and resilient,” said Col. Angelina Maguinness, 17th Training Wing commander. “With your (Col. Guyette) leadership, I’m confident they’ll continue to excel.”

The 517th Training Group works in close coordination with the Army-run Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC). DLIFLC provides instruction in 24 foreign languages to more than 3,600 students, including roughly 1,300 Air Force students enrolled at any given time.

517th TRG welcomes new commander

U.S. Air Force Col. Mark Jones, outgoing 517th Training Group commander, passes the guidon to Col. Angelina Maguinness, 17th Training Wing commander, relinquishing command during the change of command ceremony on Soldier Field at Presidio of Monterey, California, June 12, 2025. Passing the guidon represents the transfer of leadership responsibilities to the next commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Nathan Call)

517th TRG welcomes new commander

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 517th Training Group present Col. Jason Guyette, 517th TRG commander, with his first salute upon taking command on Soldier Field at Presidio of Monterey, California, June 12, 2025. The 517th TRG is integrated with the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center operated by the Army. DLIFLC is responsible for training more than 3,600 students in more than 24 different foreign languages with a daily student load of approximately 1,300 Air Force students. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Nathan Call)

517th TRG welcomes new commander

U.S. Air Force Col. Jason Guyette, 517th Training Group commander, speaks upon assuming command of the 517th TRG on Soldier Field at the Presidio of Monterey, California, June 12, 2025. The change of command ceremony is a military tradition, which illustrates the formal transfer of authority by the passing of the guidon from departing commander to incoming commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sergeant Nathan Call)