WILL ROGERS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Okla. --
Col. Daniel R. “Pinto” Fowler, the Air National Guard's Advisor to U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlbert Field, Florida, assumed command of the 137th Special Operations Group from Col. Kelly W. Cobble during a change of command ceremony at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma City, May 17, 2018.
Col. Devin R. Wooden, 137th Special Operations Wing commander and presiding officer of the ceremony, welcomed Fowler to the 137th SOW’s ranks with optimism.
“He (Fowler) is going to be the next level for us,” Wooden said to the Airmen in attendance. “He’ll take us where we need to be, when we need to be there, and most of all, he will challenge you.”
In 1988, Fowler commissioned as a distinguished graduate of the U.S Air Force Academy with a degree in mechanical engineering and a minor in mathematics.
He assumes command after more than 20 years in the military, three as a Joint Terminal Attack Control qualified Air Liaison Officer, 12 years of flying, more than two years of programming experience, four years of mobilization and operational planning experience, and nearly two years of strategic planning experience.
As the new 137th SOG commander, he is responsible for the combat readiness of the 137th SOW, which consists of 13 MC-12W aircraft and 513 personnel, including an aeromedical evacuation squadron, air support operations squadron and two intelligence squadrons.
Cobble steps down from the command after assuming many roles, two of which were Oklahoma Air National Guard Chief of Staff and 137th Maintenance Group commander.
“I look around this room and I see brilliance,” Cobble said to the attendees. “It’s been an honor to work with you.”
With more than 37 years of service, Cobble plans to retire from the Guard soon, but not before the 137th SOW is able to honor his service in a forthcoming retirement ceremony.
“Between all of your assignments, this wing forever owes you its greatest debt of gratitude,” said Wooden to the exiting 137th SOG commander.