Commanders lead Airmen in changing times

  • Published
  • By 15 Airlift Wing
  • History Office
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFPN) --  From the 15th Pursuit Group to today's 15 Airlift Wing, more than 55 commanders have led the base's Airmen in its 66-year history. Two of the base's commanders during World War II went on to become general officers - Maj. Gen. Kenneth R. Powell and Maj. Gen. Dewitt S. Spain. The airport in Memphis is named after General Spain. In more recent times, three of the commanders have been promoted to brigadier general: Charles F. Luigs, Timothy D. Gill and Albert "Al" Riggle.

Group/Wing Commanders and Dates Assigned:
Maj. Clyde K. Rich, December 1940
Maj. Lorry N. Tindal, Dec. 6, 1940
Maj. Clarence F. Hegy, March 17, 1941
Maj. Lorry N. Tindal, April 25, 1941
Lt. Col. Paul W. Blanchard, Sept. 20, 1941
Lt. Col. William S. Steele, Feb. 12, 1942
Lt. Col. Sherwood E. Buckland, March 5, 1943
Lt. Col. Kenneth R. Powell, 17 Jun 1943 (temporary)
Lt. Col. Sherwood E. Buckland, July 7, 1943
Lt. Col. William A. Bowen, Aug. 23, 1943 (temporary)
Lt. Col. Sherwood E. Buckland, Sept. 15, 1943
Col. James O. Beckwith Jr., Sept. 27, 1943
Lt. Col. Dewitt S. Spain, April 16, 1945
Lt. Col. Julian E. Thomas, May 17, 1945
Lt. Col. Elmer E. Booth, July 19, 1945 (temporary)
Col. John W. Mitchell, July 21, 1945
Col. William Eades, by November 1945
Col. Oswald W. Lunde, Nov. 25, 1945 to Oct. 15, 1946
Col. Stanley E. Matthews, 1955
Col. Wayne B. Curren, 1956
Col. Thomas L. Wiper, 1957
Col. Vic L. Byers Jr., March 23, 1959 to July 1, 1960
None (not manned), April 17, 1962 to June 30,1962
Col. George L. Jones, July 1, 1962
Col. Francis J. Vetort, June 8, 1964
Col. Levi R. Chase, July 6, 1964
Col. Raymond A. Bradley, Oct. 4, 1965
Col. Woodrow W. Ramsey, Oct. 6,1965
Col. Donald N. Stanfield, June 12, 1966
Col. Charles J. Bowers, July 29, 1966
Col. James D. Catington, Aug. 15, 1966
Col. Roy D. Carlson, June 21, 1967
Col. Clifford H. Meier, May 20, 1968
Col. Travis R. McNeil, Feb 1, 1970 to Oct. 1, 1970
Col. Ernest W. Pate, Nov. 1, 1971
Col. Howard R. Inks, June 3, 1972
Col. Wilmot E. Y. Paxton, Aug. 23, 1972
Col. Richard L. Thompson, May 1,1976
Col. Howard F. O'Neal, May 17, 1976
Col. Sharman R. Stevenson, July 7, 1978
Col. John A. Parrish Jr., Aug. 15, 1980
Col. Charles F. Luigs, July 21, 1983
Col. Keith B. Connolly, April 18, 1984
Col. Wayne E. Clark, April 19, 1985
Col. Timothy D. Gill, May 22, 1987
Col. William J. Kennedy, Nov. 9, 1987
Col. Don A. Lyon, Sept. 20,1988
Col. William C. Van Meter, July 23, 1991
Brig. Gen. Dwight M. Kealoha, June 25, 1993
Col. Bruce A. Brown, 26 Jan. 26, 1996
Col. Ann M. Testa, 14 Aug. 14, 1997
Brig. Gen Steven J. Redmann, July 8, 1999
Col. Albert F. Riggle, June 14, 2001
Col. Raymond G. Torres, April 28, 2003
Col. William J. Changose, March 23, 2005
Col. John J. Torres, June, 2006

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