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| March 07, 2008 |
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Change of command announced for the 173d Fighter Wing
Contact: Capt Lucas Ritter, 541-885-6198 lucas.ritter@orklam.ang.af.mil
173d Fighter Wing set to change command
KINGSLEY FIELD, Ore. – The Oregon Military Department announced recently that the 173d Fighter Wing would change command effective May 17.
Colonel Thomas R. Schiess will relinquish command of the wing in formal ceremony to Colonel James C. Miller. Colonel Schiess assumed command of the wing on March 12, 2005.
"It has been an honor to serve as commander of the best flying training wing in the Air Force," said Colonel Schiess. "Three years goes by way too fast and I can only hope that I have made some positive changes during my time in command."
Under Colonel Schiess' command the wing has participated in an overseas deployment to Bulgaria, the wing received an "Excellent" rating in a headquarters quadrennial inspection and the base has hosted two of the largest Sentry Eagle air-to-air exercises to date.
Colonel Schiess states that the biggest accomplishment is growing the base in manpower by 124 people, 87 of which are full-time positions. "This growth in manpower and the increase from 15 assigned aircraft to 21 assigned aircraft has solidified Kingsley Field well into the future."
Colonel Schiess is command pilot and a qualified F-15 instructor who has flown in the F-15, F-16, T-33, T-38 and T-37. He has been at Kingsley Field for 16 years and has served as the Commander, 173d Operations Group and Commander, 173d Maintenance Group.
"Being a commander I truly stand on the shoulders of those in the wing," expressed Colonel Schiess. "I am the person that the community always sees, but all of the wonderful things that have happened at the base could not have been done without the tremendous efforts and professionalism of the men and women at Kingsley Field."
Photo:
Shoot01.jpg
Contact Info:
Capt Lucas Ritter
541-885-6198
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