Photo By Tech. Sgt. April Jackson | U.S. Air Force Col. Brain M. Carloni, 157th Air Refueling Wing incoming commander,...... read more read more
The157th Air Refueling Wing welcomed Col. Brian M. Carloni as its new wing commander during a change of command ceremony at Pease Air National Guard Base, Oct. 31, 2025.
The time-honored tradition, which saw Carloni assumed command from Col. Nelson Perron, was presided over by Brig. Gen. William Davis, commander of the New Hampshire Air National Guard.
Perron is set to retire in January after more than three years in Pease’s top role, the culmination of a 32-year career in which he accumulated approximately 3,500 flying hours. In his address to the 157th ARW, Perron said he was honored to lead the wing and was proud of everything the team accomplished during his tenure as commander.
“Through it all I have seen this wing rise in every occasion and execute like none other,” he said.
Perron, who graduated from the University of Vermont with a bachelor’s degree in history, first entered the Air Force in 1993 as an enlisted member of the Vermont Air National Guard. He subsequently received his commission through the Air National Guard’s Academy of Military Science and transferred to the NHANG. He is a command pilot in both the KC-135 and KC-46A and has flown in multiple deployments to combat zones.
During the ceremony, Davis transferred the wing guidon from Perron to Carloni, symbolizing the passing of the torch of leadership. After accepting command from the general, Carloni addressed the formation of Airmen gathered for the ceremony. He spoke about the multitude of challenges today’s Airmen face and specifically acknowledged the setbacks of the ongoing government shutdown, which has impacted various aspects of military operations. He emphasized the importance of relying on each other, teamwork, trust, and mutual support to overcome these obstacles.
“To fight and win America’s wars, not only do you really need understand your importance to this country, but you really need to understand the value of a team,” said Carloni. “When we come through that gate, it is all about the we and the us, and not the I and the me,” he said.
Carloni holds a Bachelor of Science in criminology from Norwich University and was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps in 2002. Carloni served six years on active duty as an air battle manager before transitioning to the New York Air National Guard in 2008, and shortly thereafter, to the NHANG. He is a command pilot with approximately 3,000 flying hours in the KC-135 and KC-46A, including multiple deployments to combat zones. Most recently, Carloni served as the director of staff for the NHANG and previously served as the commander of the 157th Operations Group.
Under Carloni’s leadership, the 157th ARW will continue to execute its mission to deliver flawless total force air refueling and remain ready to protect the state of New Hampshire and the country.
| Date Taken: | 10.31.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 12.06.2025 09:17 |
| Story ID: | 550952 |
| Location: | PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE, US |
| Web Views: | 36 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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