92nd ARW holds change of command ceremony Published July 8, 2010 By Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Col. Paul Guemmer assumed command of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing in a ceremony Tuesday. In his speech to several hundred people, including Airmen of Team Fairchild, Air Force leaders and local community members, Colonel Guemmer said he's been "asking for years for a chance to live and work in Washington State." "For some reason, the Air Force kept sending me to some crazy East Coast city on the Potomac River," Colonel Guemmer said. "The Air Force finally got it right." Presiding over the ceremony was Lt. Gen. Robert Allardice, 18th Air Force commander, who spoke highly of Colonel Guemmer as a deployed commander and declared him a "perfect fit" for the 92nd ARW. Colonel Guemmer comes to Fairchild from an assignment at the Pentagon, where he was chief of the strategy and integration division. The previous 92nd ARW commander, Col. Robert Thomas, was awarded the Legion of Merit. He departs Fairchild to lead the 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force, Travis Air Force Base, Calif. "This has been the most rewarding assignment of my career," Colonel Thomas said. Colonel Guemmer outlined a variety of goals in his speech - working closely with the Air National Guard's 141st Air Refueling Wing, working with the local community, and supporting the mission both at home and abroad. "Fairchild has a reputation for excellence, mission focus and great community relations," Colonel Guemmer said. "This is the command assignment I've always dreamed about. General Allardice, thank you for the opportunity to lead this great team."