ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- The 139th Airlift Wing will host a change of command ceremony at the St. Joseph Civic Arena July 8, 2017 at 10:00 am.
Col. Ed Black, the Wing’s vice commander, will assume command of the 139th Airlift Wing during the ceremony.
The event is open to the public.
Outgoing commander, Col. Ralph Schwader, will be assigned 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,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard. “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.”
Black’s previous commands include the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center and the 139th Operations Group.
"It is my greatest honor to be named as the wing commander of the 139th Airlift Wing," Black said. "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."
The Missouri Air National Guard’s 139th Airlift Wing is comprised of approximately 1,100 citizen-Airmen from local communities throughout the region. The unit operates the C-130H Hercules cargo aircraft and has a duel mission both to the state of Missouri and the Federal government. Rosecrans Air National Guard Base is located at Rosecrans Memorial Airport, St. Joseph, Mo.