Coraopolis, Pa. -- The 171st Air Refueling Wing participated in a Change of Command ceremony where Colonel Mark A. Goodwill took command of the 171st Dec. 2, 2017 near Pittsburgh, Pa.
Colonel Michael J. Regan, Deputy Adjutant General - Air for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania officially passed the 171st guidon to Goodwill making him Wing Commander as Guardsmen stood in formation behind their commanders. The guidon is a ceremonial flag that represents the unit and its squadrons.
Goodwills experience in operations, logistics readiness, aircraft maintenance and mission support will serve him well as he takes on the awesome job of Wing Commander, said Regan.
Goodwill had previously served as the 171st Mission Support Group Commander, Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Commander and Logistics Readiness Squadron Commander. He is a Master Navigator with more than 3,800 hours flown.
“It’s been a dream of mine to be the Wing Commander of this base,” said Col. Mark A. Goodwill, Commander of the 171st.
Goodwill received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1987 from Pennsylvania State University where he also participated in Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant upon graduation. The Erie county native then spent four years on active duty service before joining the 171st in 1991.
Preceding Goodwill is Col. Greg A. Perez who served as commander since 2015 and has over 25 years of service at the 171st. Perez will be moving to a position at the Pennsylvania Air National Guard State Headquarters as Assistant Adjutant General.
“I’m very proud to represent these Airmen,” said Goodwill. “We have a great plan in place and we’ll continue with that.”