176th Medical Group commander promoted to colonel

  • Published
  • By Capt. John Callahan and Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Theulen
  • 176th Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Sharolyn K. Lange, commander of the Alaska Air National Guard's 176th Medical Group, was promoted to colonel in a ceremony at the 673d Medical Squadron Hospital here Feb. 8, 2014.

Lange has commanded the Medical Group since January 2013, having previously served as its chief nurse and compliance officer. She joined the Air Force in 1988 and the 176th Wing as a critical care nurse in 2007. She is a recipient of the Paul Lindemuth award for leadership, among many other awards and citations.

She is currently serving as a traditional (i.e., one weekend a month) guardsman and works full-time at JBER's 673rd Intensive Care Unit as a critical care nurse.

"She is an inspiring leader and courageous defender of the Air Force core values," said Brig. Gen. Donald S. Wenke, commander of the 176th Wing, quoting from Lange's officer performance reports.

"No one makes rank without support along the way," Lange said. "It took every aspect of the community around me: friends, family, civilian support, and medical group mentors. I feel most strongly that it is a promotion for the med group and not just me."

"I feel blessed, proud, of the support I've gotten. My goal is to use the new rank to enhance the Med Group in our ability to serve the wing," she said.