TOP STORY >>Former NCO chosen as 189th AW vice commander

By Master Sgt. Bob Oldham
189th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

A prior enlisted technical sergeant was named Nov. 7 to fill the No. 2 position in the Arkansas Air National Guard’s 189th Airlift Wing. 

Col. Jim Summers, 189th AW commander, chose Col. Alice Sanders to fill the wing’s vacant vice commander position.
Colonel Summers vacated the position when he took command of the wing Nov. 3. 

Colonel Sanders, a former enlisted administrative clerk in the late 1970s and early 1980s, was the 189th Mission Support Group commander before being appointed to her new position. The wing’s vice commander position can be filled by a rated or non-rated officer. 

“Colonel Sanders brings a wealth of experience and attention to detail to the vice commander office,” Colonel Summers said. 
While her Air Force roots are with the enlisted corps, her career has blossomed as an officer.

She was commissioned a second lieutenant in September 1983, progressing to be the state’s first female Air Guard colonel in January 2003. 

With a background in disaster preparedness, personnel and logistics, the colonel is a good fit for the position as the wing prepares for an operational readiness inspection in April. 

“I’ve been blessed throughout my career by working with great people, officer and enlisted,” the colonel said. “You don’t get here on your own. I’ve had a couple of good mentors who have helped guide my career.”