927th Operations Group welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Anna-Marie Wyant
  • 927th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 927th Operations Group welcomed their new commander, Col. Thomas O. Pemberton, and bid farewell to their former commander, Col. Douglas J. Schwartz, at a change of command ceremony here today.

Master Sgt. Kenny Brown sang the National Anthem, followed by Chaplain John Weller leading the group in prayer. After a few words from 927th Air Refueling Wing commander, Col. David P. Pavey, who recognized both commanders' many accomplishments, Colonel Schwartz thanked the group for their hard work under his command and bid them farewell - sort of.

"It's not goodbye, but so long for now," Colonel Schwartz said to the group.

Following Colonel Schwartz's heartfelt speech, the commanders performed the ceremonial change of command. In a symbolic gesture, Colonel Schwartz relinquished command of the group by handing the group's flag to Colonel Pavey, who then passed the flag to Colonel Pemberton, who then officially assumed command.

In his first speech as the new 927th OG commander, Colonel Pemberton acknowledged the wing's admirable past and present, and addressed his hopes for the future.

"I would like to thank Colonel Schwartz for the dedication and professionalism he has shown to this wing," Colonel Pemberton said. "The 927th has a rich heritage, and the wing members should be proud."

In addition, Colonel Pemberton thanked the 927th Honorary Commanders and community leaders for their support. He also pledged to stand beside the men and women of the 927th ARW and 6th Air Mobility Wing mission partners.

After Colonel Pemberton's speech, the group presented a bouquet of flowers to his wife, Dawn, as a traditional gesture of welcome.

Colonel Pemberton received his commission from the U.S. Air Force Officer Training School in 1985. In 1987, he was assigned to K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base, Mich., where he flew the KC-135 Stratotanker. Three years later, he transferred to Castle AFB, Calif., as a KC-135A instructor and evaluator navigator and chief of scheduling. In 1991, he transferred to Dyess AFB, Texas, as a B1 Lancer offensive systems officer.

Colonel Pemberton left active duty in 1993 and entered the Air Force Reserves at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind. He attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin AFB, Texas, in 1998 and KC-135 Combat Crew Training School at Altus AFB, Okla., in 1999. That year he returned to Grissom, where he has served in multiple positions within the 434thAir Refueling Wing, most recently as the deputy commander of the 434th Operations Group.

Colonel Schwartz completed Officer Training School at Lackland AFB, Texas, and was commissioned in 1981. The following year, he attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Williams AFB, Ariz., and went on to complete Bomber Pilot Training at Castle AFB. He began his first operational assignment in 1983 as a B-52 Stratofortress co-pilot at Fairchild AFB, Wash. He remained at Fairchild until 1989.

Colonel Schwartz served in numerous positions at Grissom from 1992-2007. In 2007, he became the Detachment 1 commander here for the 4th Air Force, and in one year became the 927th OG commander. Colonel Schwartz's new assignment will be serving as the vice wing commander of the 932nd Airlift Wing at Scott AFB, Ill.