122ND BLESSED WITH NEW COMMANDER
Indiana National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, is pleased to announce the selection of Col. Patrick R. Renwick as the 122nd Fighter Wing commander effective September 13.
Renwick succeeds Col. David Augustine who has commanded the more than 1,000 airmen of the 122nd Blacksnakes, headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana, since January 2011.
Renwick, a Marshall, Illinois resident, currently serves as the vice commander of the 181st Intelligence Wing, headquartered in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Renwick is rated as a command pilot with more than 3,000 total hours and 148 combat hours. He is qualified in the F-16, A-10, T-37 and T-38.
“I look forward to humbly serving the airmen of the 122 Fighter Wing as their next commander, and I’m grateful to the leadership provided by Col. Augustine, who has certainly set the bar high and taken the 122nd to a new level,” said Renwick. “I’m honored Maj. Gen. Umbarger entrusted me to lead the Blacksnakes and ensure success for the critical missions of the 122nd Fighter Wing; providing value to the nation while remaining grounded with deep roots in tradition and the community. The Blacksnakes have a time honored history and rich heritage. My wife Rachel and I are excited for our future with the 122nd Fighter Wing.”
Renwick, a 1988 Embry Riddle Aeronautical University graduate, commissioned as a second lieutenant in March 1989 from the Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Renwick came to the Indiana National Guard in 1998 where, within the 181st, he has served as the weapons and tactics officer, assistant flight commander, squadron chief of training, wing chief of safety, maintenance squadron commander and air support operations squadron commander.
“Col. Renwick is superbly qualified to lead the fighter wing of the Indiana National Guard,” said Umbarger. “He has experienced firsthand the transition of the 181st from a fighter wing to an intelligence wing. I have complete confidence that Pat will lead the men and women of the 122nd with strength and compassion as the wing transitions back to the F-16 and postures to compete for the future joint strike fighter.”
The 122nd Fighter Wing is scheduled to hold a formal ceremony Saturday, September 13, where Renwick will assume command from Augustine.
Augustine, a resident of Fort Wayne, has served as commander of the 122nd after moving from Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan. He is a Nebraska native with 32 years of military service. He is a command pilot with more than 3,500 flight hours in a variety of aircraft including the A-10 Thunderbolt, F-4, RF-4C, KC 135, T-37 and T-38. Augustine is a combat veteran having flown 24 combat sorties during the opening air campaign in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“I was blessed to be given the opportunity to lead the 122nd Fighter Wing through turbulent times,” said Augustine. “Any credit for success goes to my airmen at the Wing who dedicate their lives daily to keep the organization a respected, top-notch, combat-ready fighter wing. I can’t offer enough thanks to the people of the Fort Wayne Base Community Council who have given amazing support to this organization every step of the way. I wish Col. Renwick the best of luck as he guides this wing back into the F-16 mission. Pat and his family will be a great addition to the Fort Wayne community.”
Augustine enlisted into the Nebraska Air National Guard in 1982 as a fuels specialist, and he commissioned as an officer in 1986 from the Academy of Military Science. Augustine has held many positions throughout his Air National Guard career including vice commander of two wings, commander of an aircraft generation squadron, a quality assurance officer, chief of scheduling, assistant chief of training, and weapons system officer.
“Col. Augustine is an outstanding leader with a long and distinguished career of service and sacrifice. His commitment to his airmen, the Fort Wayne community, our Hoosier State, and the nation is second to none. Dave leaves an enviable legacy of achievement at the 122nd,” said Umbarger.
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