Commanders form distinguished list

  • Published
  • By History Office
  • 509th Bomb Wing
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. (AFPN) --  A long list of distinguished commanders, including an Air Force chief of staff have led the 509th Bomb Wing in its mission.

The wing traces its historical roots to a World War II ancestor, the 509 Composite Group. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John D. Ryan was commander of the group and wing three times in his career.  The first commander of the group, Col. Paul Tibbets Jr., made history when his aircraft the B-29 Superfortress "Enola Gay" dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. Today, the wing's mission is just as vital as the B-2 Spirit maintains a forward presence that has proved it can deliver combat airpower any time, any place.

Commanders, 509th Wing and predecessors
509th Composite Group/Bombardment Group (1944-1952)
Col. Paul W. Tibbets Jr. - Dec. 17, 1944
Col. William H. Blanchard - Jan. 22, 1946
Col. John D. Ryan - Sept. 15, 1948
Col. William H. Blanchard, July 21, 1951-June 16, 1952

509th Bombardment Wing
Col. William H. Blanchard, Nov 17, 1947
Col. John D. Ryan, Aug. 1, 1948
Brig. Gen. Clarence S. Irvine, Sept. 15, 1948
Brig. Gen. Hunter Harris Jr., Jan. 15, 1950
Col. John D. Ryan, Feb. 1, 1951
Col. Berton H. Burns, July 19, 1951
Brig. Gen. William H. Blanchard, April 7, 1952
Col. Wilson R. Wood, Feb. 11, 1953
Col. Howard E. Jackson, April 22, 1953
Col. Harold E. Humfeld, circa May 12, 1953
Col. Wilson R. Wood, circa May 15, 1953
Col. Harold E. Humfeld, July 30, 1953
Col. Wilson R. Wood, Nov 23, 1953
Col. Clifford F. Macomber, May 16, 1955
Col. Brooks A. Lawhon, Feb. 11, 1959
Col. Donald G. McPherson, June 1, 1960
Col. Edward D. Edwards, March 10, 1962
Col. James O. Frankosky, Oct 21, 1963
Col. Madison M. McBrayer, Jan. 23, 1967
Col. Joseph V. Adams Jr., March 28, 1968
Col. Robert E. Blauw, Oct 1, 1968
Col. Winston E. Moore, Feb. 11, 1969
Col. John M. Parker, Feb. 22, 1972
Col. Alan L. Hichew, June 14, 1972
Col. Isaac M. Glass, March 26, 1973
Col. Paul W. Maul, Aug. 21, 1973
Col. Richard A. Burpee, Feb. 26, 1974
Col. Fredric E. Roth, April 1, 1975
Col. Guy L. Hecker, Jr., May 3, 1976
Col. James M. Greer, Jan. 11, 1978
Col. Samuel H. Swart, Jr., May 4, 1979
Col. John A. Dramesi, June 22, 1981
Col. Trevor A. Hammond, Dec 21, 1981
Col. Denis L. Walsh, May 10, 1983
Col. Frederick A. Fiedler, June 13, 1984
Col. Robert J. McCracken, May 14, 1985
Col. Thad A. Wolf, Feb. 27, 1987
Col. Orin L. Godsey, Feb. 25, 1988
Col. William C. Brooks, Feb. 28 - Sept. 30, 1990 

Non-operational Sept. 30, 1990 - March 31, 1993

509th Bomb Wing
Brig. Gen. Ronald C. Marcotte, April 1, 1993
Brig. Gen. Thomas B. Goslin Jr., March 26, 1996
Brig. Gen. Leroy Barnidge Jr., June 8, 1998
Col. Anthony F. Przybyslawski, June 7, 2000
Brig. Gen. Douglas L. Raaberg, April 22, 2002
Col. Christopher D. Miller, April 24, 2004
Col. Gregory A. Biscone, May 1, 2006
Col. Garrett Harencak, Sept. 14, 2007