BUCKLEY SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. –
BUCKLEY SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. – The 140th Wing, Colorado Air National Guard will conduct a change of command ceremony Aug. 8, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. at the Leadership Development Center, Buckley Space Force Base, Aurora, Colorado.
Incoming Commander U.S. Air Force Col. Christopher “KojaCk” Melka will succeed U.S. Air Force Col. Benjamin “Scrappy” Couchman.
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. D. Micah “Zeus” Fesler, assistant adjutant general, Air and commander of the Colorado Air National Guard, will serve as the presiding officer for the ceremony.
“Colonel Melka is the epitome of the modern warfighter and leader,” Fesler said. “He has consistently demonstrated the operational excellence we demand in the COANG. Having successfully led at the squadron, group, and as interim deputy wing commander in Colorado, he understands the unique strengths of our Airmen and the critical nature of our state and federal missions. He is a proven leader who leads from the front, and the 140th Wing is in outstanding hands."
Couchman assumed command of the 140th Wing in November 2024. During his tenure, he led over 1,700 personnel supporting an F-16C+ fighter mission (Air Combat Command), a unique mobile ground system missile warning mission (Air Force Space Command) prior to its decommissioning, and a civil engineering mission (Pacific Air Forces). He assured adequate training of assigned military personnel and high-quality aircraft maintenance through timely phased assessments. In addition, Couchman was responsible for the successful completion of all wing inspections. He established base policies to ensure effective personnel, equipment, funding, supply, procurement, and facility management. He also built and maintained ties with Colorado’s state partners, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Republic of Slovenia, ensuring continued partnership for years to come. Additionally, he welcomed Switzerland as Colorado’s newest state partner last year. All of which led to multiple successful deployments of Air National Guard forces in support of U.S. interests under his watch. He also served as wing commander of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, in 2025.
“Colonel Couchman has led the 140th Wing, at home and abroad, with the utmost professionalism and expertise following decades of a decorated and extremely robust career,” Fesler said. “His drive and tenacity have been critical in leading our Airmen in such unprecedented times, setting the bar for all those who look up to him, as well as future commanders. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement, and I wish the best to you.”
Melka joined the COANG in 2007 and, after attending U.S. Air Force Weapons School in 2010, he served on a Title 10 statutory tour as an instructor pilot for the 16th Weapons Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. After returning to Colorado in 2016, he continued to serve in the 120th Fighter Squadron as the commander and director of operations. Prior to his current position as 140th Operations Group commander, Melka served as deputy commander of the 140th Maintenance Group, 140th Wing, Buckley SFB. Melka is a command pilot with more than 3,400 hours in the F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft, having flown over 460 combat hours in Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, and during Operations Iraqi Freedom, Freedom Sentinel, and Resolute Support.
The 140th Wing is composed of five groups, 12 squadrons, and two geographically separated units. The 1,700 personnel that fall under two USAF major commands provide our nation with fighter aircraft and support forces capable of global employment.