New Wing Commander takes the reins of the Bloody Hundredth

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joseph Barron
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

A new wing commander took charge of the 100th Air Refueling Wing during a ceremony here, May 31, 2019.

Col. Troy Pananon assumed command of the 100th ARW from Col. Christopher Amrhein in front of Airmen, families, and local civilian dignitaries.

“To the members of the Bloody Hundredth, please know that we are extremely excited and proud to add our names to your scrolls,” Pananon said. “We will honor the legacy and look forward to taking on new challenges worthy of the ‘squared away’ lineage.”

Maj. Gen. Wood, 3rd Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony and remarked on the great responsibility leading RAF Mildenhall demands.

“You are the only tanker wing in Europe and Africa,” Wood said. “This base, this community is counting on your leadership, and I know you’ll succeed as the commander of the Bloody One-Hundredth.”

Pananon joins RAF Mildenhall from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., where he was the vice commander of the 6th Air Mobility Wing.

He graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science.

After commissioning as a maintenance officer, Pananon later attended Undergraduate Pilot Training and went on to log more than 4,000 hours in aircraft such as the U.S. Air Force C-5M Super Galaxy, KC-10 Extender and C-21.

The incoming commander will lead three groups and 10 squadrons in support of the air refueling mission at RAF Mildenhall.

“My intent as the commander is to remain committed to our vitally important mission. The best way to do that is to take care, train and provide these phenomenal Airmen and their families with the resources they need, and they will take care of the rest,” Pananon said.