Armstrong succeeds Stratton as 176th Wing commander

  • Published
  • By David Bedard
  • 176th Wing Public Affairs

Alaska Air National Guard Col. Joshua Armstrong succeeded Brig. Gen. Anthony Stratton as 176th Wing commander during a Sept. 26 change-of-command ceremony at JBER.

During the ceremony, Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Stone succeeded Chief Master Sgt. Peter Pratt as the 176th Wing command chief.

The 176th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard, is one of the largest wings in the Air National Guard with more than 1,500 Airmen.  The wing conducts the federal missions of air defense, airlift, and rescue while being able to provide cyber, engineer, medical, and security forces support during state and national disasters as requested.

Presiding officer, Brig. Gen. Brian Kile, Alaska Air National Guard commander, spoke about the wing’s accomplishments under Stratton’s command including maintaining the wing’s federal missions through the Covid pandemic, transitioning the wing to the Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment through three major ACE exercises, deploying 461 Airmen overseas for seven contingency operations, controlling more than 40 NORAD intercepts of out-of-area aircraft, and rescuing 530 distressed people during 689 civil search-and-rescue missions.

“All of those accomplishments are great, and it’s how we measure success in the military, but the most exceptional thing about Tony is his compassion and grace,” Kile said. “We all know he is a man of faith, and that drives his love for the wing. I don’t have stats on every tough decision he has had to make, but I do know that 100 percent of the time he is thoughtful, people-focused and gracious.”

Stratton additionally highlighted how 176th Wing has responded to disasters like Typhoon Merbok in 2022 and recent glacial flooding in Juneau.

“We are Alaskans serving Alaskans,” Stratton said, before pointing to wing members in attendance. “You are, and you are Alaskans serving the nation. You are doing it exceptionally well. I am proud to be one of you. I’m proud to be with you. I’m proud to support you. It has been an outstanding five years.”

Kile said he is confident Armstrong is ready to command the wing pointing to his experience as 211th Rescue Squadron commander, 176th Operations Group commander and most recently 176th Wing deputy commander.

“Josh Armstrong is a man of character,” Kile said. “His military career has set him up to be highly successful as a wing commander. His time in active duty, airlift, rescue, and the operations group commander and deputy wing commander has shaped his leadership style.”

Armstrong said he expects and welcomes the opportunity for the wing to face adversity with the organization’s regular Air Force partners in the Total Force.

“Chief Stone and I welcome the challenges we will face together over the next couple of years,” Armstrong said. “We will face them as proud Alaskan Air Guardians standing side by side in close coordination with our Total Force partners.”