Wing welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.
  • 919th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
DUKE FIELD, Fla. --  The 919th Special Operations Wing officially has a new commander after the assumption of command ceremony held at Duke Field, Fla. Feb. 5.

Colonel Andy Comtois accepted the wing guidon from Maj. Gen. Frank Padilla, 10th Air Force commander, as leader of the only Reserve special operations wing in the Air Force.

Colonel Comtois had served as the wing's vice commander prior to his selection. He is a command pilot with more than  3,500 hours in the A-10 and F-16 combat aircraft.

"He is a serious-minded and professional aviator," said General Padilla. "He is focused, determined and has my utmost confidence."

The general also called the colonel "proven in battle" due to his eight deployments as a pilot and most recently as the special operations liaison at the Combined Air Operations Center in Southwest Asia.

"I can rest easy knowing Colonel Comtois is at the helm of the mighty 919th," he said.

The colonel thanked many community and military leaders for attending and for their efforts to support the wing. He also added that his transition to the 919th has been an incredible learning experience.

"I've learned more in the 21 months I've been here than the previous 20 years, no doubt about it," he said.

"It's an honor to accept command of the most highly decorated wing in Air Force Reserve," said Colonel Comtois. "I pledge to do the best job I can."