Meet the Commander

  • Published
  • 927 ARW/Public Affiars
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Colonel Randal L. Bright assumed command of Florida's only air refueling wing during an official ceremony at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, July 13. Bright replaces Col. Doug Schwartz, who is currently the wing commander at the 434th Air Refueling Wing, Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana.

In attendance at the ceremony were members of Bright's family, leadership from the 6th Air Mobility Wing, honorary commanders of the 927th Air Refueling Wing, and former Vice Commander, Air Force Reserve Command, retired Maj. Gen. Martin Mazick.

Bright has amassed over 4,000 flying hours and served in seven overseas operations during his 30 year Air Force Reserve career. He has been around heavy airframes his entire career: as an AC-130A navigator, pilot, and instructor, and aircraft commander of the MC-130E, C-130H, and C-17A. He also served as an operations group commander and wing commander of the 911th Airlift Wing, Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Coraopolis, Pennsylvania and the 512th Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.

Most recently, Bright served two years as the chief of the Plans Division, Directorate of Strategic Plans and Programs, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, Robbins Air Force Base, Georgia prior to joining the 927th.

"Randal Bright brings with him a ton of experience and will do great things for the 927th," said Brig. Gen. John Flournoy, commander, 4th Air Force, March Air Reserve Base, California. "He is very mission focused and family focused, and we can't accomplish our mission without the great support of our friends and family."

The ceremony concluded with remarks from Col. Bright where he communicated his vision and priorities for the wing.

"So you know a little bit about me and what I am about, I will leave you with these five keys to success, Safety, Training, Attitude, Readiness, and Standards," Bright said.

"Safety, we are going to be safe. We will mitigate risks every chance we get and be as safe as we can while accomplishing the mission.

Training, my job is to make sure you have the resources you need to be properly trained and if you don't have what you need, come see me and I'll get it.

Attitude, we all must have a positive attitude in everything we do. If you keep a positive attitude in your civilian life and in your reserve career we will do great things together.

Readiness, whatever your career field is, make sure you are ready to do your job. This means shots, PME, fitness. Make sure all of these items are taken care of because you never know when the nation will call on us to do what we train to do.

Standards, as Airmen we are held to a high standard. We will continue to meet the standards set by the AFI and do our best to exceed them where ever possible."

As commander of the 927th Air Refueling Wing, Col. Bright is responsible for the organization, training, equipping, and worldwide readiness of a combined reserve and civilian wing of approximately 900 people.

The 927th Air Refueling Wing flies the KC-135R Stratotanker whose missions consist of in-flight air refueling, cargo and passenger airlift, aeromedical evacuation, and supporting contingencies and humanitarian operations around the world.