Selma’s Otis Jones takes command of Yokota Air Force Base

Published 9:38 pm Saturday, July 28, 2018

Col. Otis Jones continues to move up the ranks in the Air Force Academy.

The former Selma High School graduate recently took command of the Yokota Air Base in Japan. The Yokota Air Base is the 374th Airlift Wing and part of the U.S. Air Force assigned to the Fifth Air Force. It has over 3,500 members.

Jones has an impressive resume during a 23-year Air Force career that began in 1995. He has flown T-37B, T-44A, C-130E, C-17A and C-130J aircrafts.

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Before arriving in Japan, Jones was commander of the Little Rock (Arkansas) Air Force Base. He was promoted to Colonel two years ago.

“His father and I are so proud of him,” said Christine Jones, Jones’ mother.

Jones was a star point guard on the Selma High basketball team, playing for the late coach A.A. Sewell and Willie Maxey. He also attended Cedar Park Elementary School.

In the Air Force, Jones became a star point guard at Air Force and left as the Falcons’ second career scoring leader with 2,003 points. He graduated from Air Force in 1995.

Jones is the only player named All-Western Athletic Conference three straight years. His honors include earning the Bob Beckel Team MVP honor for the 1994-1995 season and the school’s Athletic Excellence Award in 1994 and 1995.