Alabama Air National Guard Col. Randal Efferson Assumes Command of 187th Fighter Wing

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Matthew Garrett
  • 187th Figher Wing Public Affairs
Montgomery Regional Air National Guard Base, Montgomery, Ala. --  Alabama Air National Guard Col. Randal K. Efferson assumed command of the 187th Fighter Wing in a change of command ceremony at Montgomery Regional Air National Guard Base, January 10. Col. Efferson took command of the fighter wing from Col. Samuel W. Black.

"Thanks to [U.S. Army] Maj. Gen. Smith and Brig. Gen. Berryhill for having confidence in me to come and lead this wing ... I am humbled to be here," said Col. Efferson.

The unit consists of more than 1,500 airmen who make up five subordinate groups that provide control of the air operations and maintenance, communications, security and logistics support, civil engineering, and medical support. More than 300 members of the unit recently returned from a six month deployment to Afghanistan providing Close Air Support for ground troops.

Col. Efferson has logged more than 3,200 hours of flying time and has held a number of Air Force leadership positions, including an Air National Guard F-35 instructor at Eglin Air Force Base.

Col. Black, the previous commander of the 187th Fighter Wing, will now serve as the Alabama National Guard Assistant Adjutant General for Air Operations. In this capacity, he is responsible for advising the state's adjutant general on programs, strategic planning and operations affecting the Alabama Air National Guard.

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Alabama Air National Guard Col. Randal Efferson Assumes Command of 187th Fighter Wing

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Matthew Garrett
  • 187th Figher Wing Public Affairs
Montgomery Regional Air National Guard Base, Montgomery, Ala. --  Alabama Air National Guard Col. Randal K. Efferson assumed command of the 187th Fighter Wing in a change of command ceremony at Montgomery Regional Air National Guard Base, January 10. Col. Efferson took command of the fighter wing from Col. Samuel W. Black.

"Thanks to [U.S. Army] Maj. Gen. Smith and Brig. Gen. Berryhill for having confidence in me to come and lead this wing ... I am humbled to be here," said Col. Efferson.

The unit consists of more than 1,500 airmen who make up five subordinate groups that provide control of the air operations and maintenance, communications, security and logistics support, civil engineering, and medical support. More than 300 members of the unit recently returned from a six month deployment to Afghanistan providing Close Air Support for ground troops.

Col. Efferson has logged more than 3,200 hours of flying time and has held a number of Air Force leadership positions, including an Air National Guard F-35 instructor at Eglin Air Force Base.

Col. Black, the previous commander of the 187th Fighter Wing, will now serve as the Alabama National Guard Assistant Adjutant General for Air Operations. In this capacity, he is responsible for advising the state's adjutant general on programs, strategic planning and operations affecting the Alabama Air National Guard.