New 156th Wing Commander Invests in Relationships of Trust

Photo By Ricardo Castrodad | Brig. Gen. Travis Acheson, Assistant Adjutant General for Air and Commander of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard officially hands over command of the 156th Wing to Col. Pete Boone during a recent Assumption of Command ceremony in Puerto Rico.  

CAROLINA, PUERTO RICO

09.04.2019

Story by Capt. Matt Murphy 

156th Wing

Col. Pete Boone traded in Georgia peaches for tropical fruit as he assumed command of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard’s 156th Wing in a recent ceremony held at Muñiz Air National Guard Base.
“It’s a true honor and privilege to have been selected as your commander and serve alongside the finest Airmen in the Air National Guard,” said Col. Boone. “I plan to earn your trust through my actions and the relationships that I build with each and every one of you. My family and I are thankful for the warm welcome and exited to live in “la Isla del Encanto” as part of the Puerto Rico National Guard family.”
In keeping with military tradition, 156th Wing Airmen gathered in mass formation at the base 104 hangar to witness Col. Boone assume command responsibilities for the unit and complete the formal transfer of authority. This special occasion, shared with the numerous Puerto Rico National Guardsmen, family, friends and special guests marked a significant milestone and new chapter in the unit’s history.
“We welcome Col. Pete Boone and his family to our beautiful island,” said Maj. Gen. José A. Reyes, Adjutant General of Puerto Rico. “These are exiting times in the Puerto Rico Air National Guard, the 156th Wing has the right leader to successfully transform the unit to fulfill their newly assigned federal missions that will make us worldwide deployable and better prepared to help Puerto Rico in times of need.”
The ceremony was presided by Brig. Gen. Travis Acheson, Assistant Adjutant General for Air and Commander of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard, who was commended by the audience with applause for a courageous effort delivering his remarks in Spanish.
“Today is a great day for the Puerto Rico Air National Guard,” said Brig. Gen. Travis Acheson, Commander of the Puerto Rico National Guard. “The Airmen and civilian workforce of the 156th Wing are in good hands under the leadership of Col. Boone, I trust they will succeed in undertaking and achieving a successful conversion to our new Combat Communications and Contingency Response missions. We welcome him and his family and embrace them as part of our PRANG family.”
Col. Boone is no stranger to the Puerto Rico Air National Guard. From 2005-2008, he worked with 156th Airlift Wing C-130 crews supporting the U.S. Southern Command’s CORONET OAK mission. During 2012-2013, he served as the CORONET OAK mission commander for 156th Airlift Wing C-130 crews. During his last assignment, Col. Boone also served as the military on-scene commander for the 156th Airlift Wing’s C-130WC aircraft crash response that took place Savannah, Ga., and killed nine Airmen onboard.
In his remarks, Col. Boone emphasized his commitment to excellence and the importance of going back to basics.

“We are committed to making the 156th Airlift Wing a better place,” said Col. Boone. “We plan to take care of the members of the Wing by listening to your concerns and providing each of you with the resources you need to complete your mission.”
Col. Boone has over 20 years of military service and has logged over 1,500 hours as a pilot in multiple aircraft including the T-43, T-1, C-130E, C-130H, LC-130H, WC-130H.

By Lt. Col. Ricardo Castrodad

• Date Taken: 09.04.2019
• Date Posted: 09.04.2019 13:42
• Story ID: 338364
• Location: CAROLINA, PR