ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- The Adjutant General of Missouri has announced a new commander for the Missouri Air National Guard’s 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joseph.
Maj. Gen. Steve Danner announced Col. Ed Black, who is currently the 139th’s vice commander, will assume command from Col. Ralph Schwader, who will move to Missouri National Guard Headquarters in Jefferson City.
"Col. Black is a consummate professional who has been an integral part of the senior leadership team at the 139th for many years," Danner said. "That experience, in addition to his years of experience at both the National Guard Bureau and the Pentagon, make him an ideal choice to be the next wing commander. I have the utmost confidence in his ability to lead this great organization."
Based at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, the 139th flies and maintains C-130H-model aircraft.
"It is my greatest honor to be named as the wing commander of the 139th Airlift Wing," said Col Black. "I am truly humbled and greatly honored that Maj. Gen. Danner has the confidence in me to lead this great organization. "I will work tirelessly for the men and women of this wing to ensure we remain at the tip of the spear for the State of Missouri and our nation."
Black's previous commands include the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center and the 139th Operations Group. During his time in Washington D.C. at the National Guard Bureau, Black held program manager positions for the RC-26, C-27J and C-130 programs. In 2010, he was selected to the position of strategic analyst on the chief’s action group for the chief of the National Guard Bureau, Gen. Craig McKinley. Soon after, he was elevated to the position of executive assistant to the chief, responsible for the daily operations of the office of the chief.
Black is a native of Rushville, and attended DeKalb High School. Black is a graduate of the University of Central Missouri, where he received a bachelor’s in Aviation Technology. He also earned a master of science degree in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University, Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 2012.
The official change of command is tentatively scheduled for July.