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Bowman takes command of Niagara wing

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Matthew Burke
  • 914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --  Col. Brian Bowman assumed command of the men and women of the 914th Airlift Wing here Feb. 6.

Bowman received command from Maj. Gen. Stayce Harris, 22nd Air Force Commander, in front of more than 50 distinguished visitors and guests. The 914th AW stood in formation and listened to remarks by Harris as she described their new commander.

"It was the best ceremony I've seen in my 30 years," said Bowman. "With that many people in sync, doing exactly what they needed to do, at exactly the right time, every time--I've never seen that before. I was very impressed."

Bowman is responsible for the overall success of the wing's mission to recruit, train and equip rapid global mobility forces for the theater or joint force commander. The 914th AW is host to approximately 3,000 assigned military, civil service and contract personnel, and the installation is the largest employer in Niagara County with an annual economic impact of more than $200 million.

"My vision for the 914th Airlift Wing is to remain a viable fighting force for our United States Air Force," said Bowman. "I feel very confident of the longevity of this Wing at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station."

Most recently as commander of the 340th Flying Training Group, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, Bowman was directly responsible for the overall success of the Reserve Associate Instructor Program. He began his military career in 1983, enlisting in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard as an A-7D aircraft aircrew life support technician.

"I owe Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard everything," said Bowman, whose has spent his entire 33 year career between the two commands. "I've been an ART (Air Reserve technician), AGR (Active Guard Reserve) and Traditional Reservist and Guardsman, so I understand the challenges of our Citizen Airmen face."

Although Bowman still has many personal and professional details to accomplish, as someone who has moved himself and wife of more than 10 years across the country, he is eager to get out and introduce himself to the installation he now commands.

"One of my goals is to meet as many Airmen in the wing as possible," said Bowman. "I learn something from every Airman I meet. What I love most about this job is the people."