The 139th Airlift Wing hosted a change of command ceremony on Sunday in the fuel cell hanger.
Col. Ralph Schwader, the Wing’s vice commander and a St. Joseph native, is taking command of the 139th Airlift Wing during the ceremony.
Outgoing commander, Col. Michael Pankau, retired after more than 29 years of military service.
“I’m very pleased to have an officer with Col. Schwader’s proven track record of character and experience at the helm of the 139th,” said Maj. Gen. Steve Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard. “He will build on the great work done by his predecessor and fellow veteran, Col. Michael Pankau.”
Schwader, an experienced C-130 pilot who has flown 6,277 flight hours, said he is ready to take command.
“I am very honored to be selected by Maj. Gen. Danner as the next wing commander of the 139th Airlift Wing,” Schwader said. “Col. Mike Pankau has done an outstanding job leading this organization over the past three years during some significant challenges that included numerous combat deployments of 139th personnel. He leaves the wing secure on a great path for the future. I am very proud to be part of the 139th Airlift Wing and look forward to leading this team of combat-tested men and women veterans into the future.”
Schwader graduated from Central High School in 1981 and Missouri Western State University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. The Colonel also earned a Master of Science degree in Aviation Safety from University of Central Missouri.
Colonel Schwader received his commission through the Air National Guard Academy of Military Science, Knoxville, Tennessee in 1987, followed by attendance at USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training, Williams Air Force Base, Phoenix, AZ., C-130 Pilot training, Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas. He returned to the 180th Airlift Squadron, Missouri Air National Guard where he performed co-pilot duties aboard the Lockheed C-130.
In 1994, Col Schwader became a full-time technician supporting the 139th Operations Group as a Standardization and Evaluation officer. Over the years he served in positions in Training, Current Ops, Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, Director of Operations, 180th Airlift Squadron Commander and 139th Operations Group Commander before assuming the 139th Airlift Wing Vice Commander position.
Colonel Schwader deployed for DESERT SHIELD and was mobilized for DESERT STORM. He has also served on numerous military tours, operations and deployments, supporting airlift commitments around the world including VOLANT OAK, CORONET OAK, SOUTHERN WATCH, PROVIDE HOPE, PROVIDE COMFORT, JOINT FORGE, UPHOLD DEMOCRACY, and OPERATION NOBLE EAGLE.
The Colonel was activated and deployed numerous times in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM and OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. He served as Commander for the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, Kharshi-Khanabad Air Base in Uzbekistan, where he integrated numerous C-130 Air National Guard units and an Active Duty squadron into one cohesive war-fighting component. He also served as the Deputy Operations Group Commander, 445th Expeditionary Operations Group, Bagram AB Afghanistan overseeing 8 Squadrons and 1 Flight to include fighters, airlifters, PJs, Marines and ISR assets. Colonel Schwader is a USAF Command Pilot Evaluator with more than 6,000 flight hours in the C130.
EDUCATION
1986 – Bachelor of Science, Agriculture Economics with minors in Agronomy and Animal Science, Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, MO.
1997 – Squadron Officers School, by correspondence
1999 – Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
1998 – Masters of Science, Aviation Safety, Central Missouri State University
2004 – Air War College, by correspondence
2009 – Advance Joint Professional Military Education, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk VA
ASSIGNMENTS
1. February 1990 – October 1993, C-130 co-pilot, 180th Tactical Airlift Squadron, St. Joseph, Mo.
2. October 1993 – November 1994, Aircraft Commander, 180th Tactical Airlift Squadron, St. Joseph, Mo.
3. November 1994 – December 2001, Stan/Eval officer, 139th Operations Group, St. Joseph, Mo.
4. January 2002 – June 2004, Chief of Stan/Eval, 139th Airlift Group, St. Joseph, Mo.
5. June 2004 – December 2005 Director of Operations, 180th Airlift Squadron, St. Joseph, Mo.
6. December 2005 – May 2006, Commander, 180th Airlift Squadron, St. Joseph, Mo.
7. May 2006 – Aug 2011, Operations Group Commander, 139th Operations Group, St. Joseph, Mo.
8. Aug 2011- Present, Vice Commander, 139th Airlift Wing, St. Joseph, MO
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 6000, Combat Hours: 324.3, Combat Support Hours: 175.6
Aircraft Flown: C-130H, C-130E, T-38, T-37
MAJOR AWARDS AND DERCORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two devices
Air Medal with four devices
Aerial Achievement Medal with two devices
Air Force Commendation Medal with one device
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Combat Action Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor device and three devices
Combat Readiness Medal with nine devices
National Defense Service Medal with one device
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with one device
Southwest Asia Service Medal with three oak devices
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one device
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal with one device
Humanitarian Service Medal with one device
Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short with one device
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold border and one device
Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with four devices
Armed Forces Reserve Service Medal with M device and silver hour glass (ten years of service)
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (pistol)
Air Force Training Ribbon
NATO Medal
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Louisiana Emergency Service Medal
Missouri Commendation Ribbon with one device
Missouri NG Desert Shield/Storm Service Ribbon
Missouri NG Expeditionary Ribbon with one device
Missouri State Emergency Duty Ribbon
Missouri NG Long Service 20 Year Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant May 19, 1988
First Lieutenant November 3, 1990
Captain April 16, 1993
Major July 3, 1997
Lieutenant Colonel September 2, 2002
Colonel May 6, 2006