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MCGHEE TYSON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Air National Guard announced a new commander for the Knoxville-based 134th Air Refueling Wing Tuesday, along with three other officer promotions.
Col. Lee Hartley will assume command of the 134th ARW, and Col. Thomas Cauthen, commander of the 134th ARW since 2011, will become the Director of Staff-Air at Tennessee Joint Forces Headquarters in Nashville.
A Knoxville native, Hartley has served as vice commander for the 134th ARW since August of 2016. He has 27 years of service, including several pilot and command positions at the 134th ARW since 1997 and has flown more than 60 combat missions in support of operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, Freedom Sentinel, and Inherent Resolve. Hartley holds a Bachelor of Science in engineering mechanics from the United States Air Force Academy, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Liberty University, Virginia.
“My first exposure to the Air Force was through a family friend that was a pilot in the 134th when I was a teenager,” stated Hartley. “So, to be given the opportunity 31 years later to serve in this capacity, alongside the greatest Airmen in the world, is both a privilege and an honor that I cannot describe. I’m grateful.”
Col. Bobby Underwood, currently serving as commander of the 134th Operations Group, will replace Hartley as the Wing’s vice commander. Cauthen will replace Col. David Dockery who will move from director of staff to the special assistant to the assistant adjutant general-air position at Tennessee JFHQ.
“Each of these individuals has a proven track record and demonstrated ability to perform in these new assignments,” said Col. Jason Glass, Assistant Adjutant General, Air, Tennessee National Guard, through an official e-mail announcement.
All of the personnel changes are expected to occur over the next two months, and a formal change of command ceremony for the 134th ARW will be announced in the near future.
The mission of the 134th ARW is to project Global Reach and Global Power in the interest of National Defense by providing vital air refueling and critical airlift capabilities for rapid deployment, sustained combat operations and effective training.
| Date Taken: | 06.06.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 06.06.2018 15:47 |
| Story ID: | 279846 |
| Location: | KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE, US |
| Web Views: | 310 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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