Team Fairchild welcomes new commander to famous 92nd

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Travis Edwards
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

Col. Cassius T. Bentley III assumed command of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing from Col. Derek Salmi during a change of command ceremony here, July 1.

Lt. Gen. Sam Barrett, 18th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony that was less than 50 people due to current COVID-19 physical distancing restrictions.

In closing of Salmi’s time in command, Barrett said, “Your personal leadership set the bar high; building a warrior culture and a war-ready wing.” 

The departure of one command team signals the welcoming of a new one as Bentley takes the reins.

Before coming to Fairchild, Bentley was the vice commander of the 100th Air Refueling Wing, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, United Kingdom. Bentley will now lead the more than 13,000 Fairchild Airmen who will provide strategic air refueling to a myriad of Air Force and DoD assets.

“I’ve been lucky in my Air Force career to have amazing mentors across all ranks and backgrounds, to include some great wing commanders, to help shape my perspectives,” said Bentley. “What I learned from those … great wing commanders, were four ‘must dos.’ Number one: Persistently find ways to take care of Airmen and their families. Number two: Steadfast devotion to mission execution. Number three: Safeguard opportunities to have fun. And four: Always look out beyond the horizon.”

Bentley received his commission through Reserve Officer Training Corps and graduated from the University of Kentucky and Centre College in 1998. He is joined by his wife, Trina, and two children.