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PRESS RELEASE - 188th Wing announces upcoming wing change of command, names successor

  • Published
  • Arkansas National Guard Public Affairs
FORT SMITH, Ark. --  For Immediate Release
Dec. 7, 2014

The following is from the Office of the Arkansas Air National Guard commander, Brigadier General Dwight Balch:

The Arkansas Air National Guard announced Dec. 7 that the 188th Wing will undergo a change of command in January. Brig. Gen. Dwight Balch, Arkansas Air National Guard commander, made the announcement to 188th Airmen during a commander's call gathering at Ebbing Air National Guard Base.

Balch announced that Col. Bobbi Doorenbos will succeed Col. Mark Anderson as the new 188th Wing commander. This change is slated for Jan. 11. More information on the change of command ceremony will be released as it becomes available. Anderson has served as the 188th Wing commander since April 14, 2012.

"It has been an honor to serve as commander for the amazing men and women of the 188th over the past two and a half years," Anderson said. "We've endured some of the most monumental challenges in unit history. We've overcome some arduous obstacles and I continue to be impressed by the hard work, dedication and sacrifice made by our Airmen and their families to ensure our success.  The wing is truly a family and it was a privilege to be a member of the Flying Razorbacks."

The 188th Wing is currently converting from a fighter mission to remotely piloted aircraft and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission sets, which will also feature a space-focused targeting squadron. Doorenbos' experience will be critical to the success of the 188th's on-going mission conversion, which is the most complex in unit history.

"Col. Doorenbos has impeccable credentials and the experience necessary to excel as the new 188th Wing commander," Balch said. "We believe her leadership and diverse skillsets will continue to fuel a bright future for the 188th as it works to achieve operational status in its new missions."

Doorenbos brings with her a wealth of operational experience in RPA and ISR mission sets. She currently serves as the commander of the 214th Reconnaissance Group, located at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. As 214th commander, she is responsible for providing combat-qualified MQ-1 Predator aircrews in support of contingency operations overseas, and domestic incident awareness and assessment capabilities in the United States.

"The 188th has an exceptional reputation, and I'm honored that I will have the opportunity to lead such outstanding Airmen," Doorenbos said. "The 188th is resilient and has had some amazing achievements throughout its history.  I'm excited about this incredible opportunity and I hope to continue the Flying Razorbacks' legacy of excellence."

PRESS RELEASE - 188th Wing announces upcoming wing change of command, names successor

  • Published
  • Arkansas National Guard Public Affairs
FORT SMITH, Ark. --  For Immediate Release
Dec. 7, 2014

The following is from the Office of the Arkansas Air National Guard commander, Brigadier General Dwight Balch:

The Arkansas Air National Guard announced Dec. 7 that the 188th Wing will undergo a change of command in January. Brig. Gen. Dwight Balch, Arkansas Air National Guard commander, made the announcement to 188th Airmen during a commander's call gathering at Ebbing Air National Guard Base.

Balch announced that Col. Bobbi Doorenbos will succeed Col. Mark Anderson as the new 188th Wing commander. This change is slated for Jan. 11. More information on the change of command ceremony will be released as it becomes available. Anderson has served as the 188th Wing commander since April 14, 2012.

"It has been an honor to serve as commander for the amazing men and women of the 188th over the past two and a half years," Anderson said. "We've endured some of the most monumental challenges in unit history. We've overcome some arduous obstacles and I continue to be impressed by the hard work, dedication and sacrifice made by our Airmen and their families to ensure our success.  The wing is truly a family and it was a privilege to be a member of the Flying Razorbacks."

The 188th Wing is currently converting from a fighter mission to remotely piloted aircraft and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission sets, which will also feature a space-focused targeting squadron. Doorenbos' experience will be critical to the success of the 188th's on-going mission conversion, which is the most complex in unit history.

"Col. Doorenbos has impeccable credentials and the experience necessary to excel as the new 188th Wing commander," Balch said. "We believe her leadership and diverse skillsets will continue to fuel a bright future for the 188th as it works to achieve operational status in its new missions."

Doorenbos brings with her a wealth of operational experience in RPA and ISR mission sets. She currently serves as the commander of the 214th Reconnaissance Group, located at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. As 214th commander, she is responsible for providing combat-qualified MQ-1 Predator aircrews in support of contingency operations overseas, and domestic incident awareness and assessment capabilities in the United States.

"The 188th has an exceptional reputation, and I'm honored that I will have the opportunity to lead such outstanding Airmen," Doorenbos said. "The 188th is resilient and has had some amazing achievements throughout its history.  I'm excited about this incredible opportunity and I hope to continue the Flying Razorbacks' legacy of excellence."