The 916th Receives a Blast From the Past
By Staff Sgt. Mary McKnight, 916 Air Refueling Wing
/ Published December 09, 2019
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The 916th Air Refueling Wing welcomed their new commander, Col. Stephen “Steve” Lanier, during an assumption of command ceremony held at 9:16 a.m. in the 916 ARW fuel cell hangar.
Lanier may be the wing’s new commander, but he is no stranger to the 916 ARW, he was once the commander of the 77th Air Refueling Squadron, January 2012 – June 2014.
Maj. Gen. Randall A. Ogden, commander of the 4th Air Force and the 20th commander of the 916 ARW, presided over the ceremony.
“When much is given much is expected,” said Ogden. “That servant leadership; where it’s not about Steve, he’s that kind of person, it’s about taking care of Airmen. That’s the kind of leadership you had here at the 916th and you’re going to bring back as the commander.”
Lanier’s vision for himself as a commander falls directly in line with Ogden’s expectations.
“It’s great to be home,” said Lanier. “It’s great to be back in the 916th. Kristie (Lanier's wife) and I are excited to lead this amazing wing. I look forward to getting out and meeting everybody and understanding what everybody’s focus is and what their concerns are.”