181st Intelligence Wing makes history with first female commander

Photo By 1st Lt. Jonathan Padish | U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick R. Renwick, the assistant adjutant general-air and commander of the Indiana Air National Guard, passes the guidon for the 181st Intelligence Wing to U.S. Air Force Col. Tamala A. Saylor, the incoming commander of the 181st Intelligence Wing, during a change of command ceremony at Hulman Field Air National Guard Base, Ind., Oct. 5, 2019. Saylor assumed command of the 181st IW from U.S. Air Force Col. Christopher R. Alderdice. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Jonathan W. Padish)  

TERRE HAUTE, IN, UNITED STATES

10.06.2019

Story by Staff Sgt. Lonnie Wiram 

181st Intelligence Wing

HULMAN FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ind. — The 181st Intelligence Wing welcomes U.S. Air Force Col. Tamala A. Saylor as the new wing commander during a change of command ceremony Oct. 5, 2019, at Hulman Field Air National Guard Base.
Taking on the new role, Saylor became the first female wing commander in the Indiana Air National Guard.
“Having this opportunity as the first female wing commander in Indiana, specifically, here at the 181st, is an honor, a privilege, and exciting,” Saylor said.
Saylor enlisted in 1983 with the 122nd Fighter Wing, Indiana Air National Guard, then commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in 1997, then transferred to the 181st Fighter Wing.
During her career, Saylor has held multiple positions within the Indiana Air National Guard and on a national level. Her previous duty assignment was Chief of Staff at the Air National Guard Readiness Center in Washington D.C.
As the new wing commander, Saylor highlights that every Airman plays a key in the mission success.
“One of the things I want to accomplish as wing commander is making sure that every Airman here at the 181st understands that they’re a key component to what happens here,” said Saylor. “Every role is vital to us being able to accomplish the mission.”
Looking ahead, Saylor expressed the importance of keeping ahead of pace.
“We constantly need to evolve and keep up with the times,” Saylor said. “I look forward to being a part of that, and getting to be out here with the great ‘Racers’ and propelling us into the future.

• Date Taken: 10.06.2019
• Date Posted: 10.06.2019 16:38
• Story ID: 346220
• Location: TERRE HAUTE, IN, US