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USAF's largest F-16 combat wing to get new commander
August 20, 2005 (by
Lieven Dewitte) -
Yesterday, a new commander took charge of the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw AFB. Col. William Hyatt assumes command from Col. Philip Ruhlman, who is headed to the Pentagon as vice director of the Air Force Studies and Analyses Agency.
Ruhlman, who also has been nominated by President Bush for promotion to brigadier general, had been commander of the 20th since June 2004.
Hyatt comes to Shaw after serving as the executive officer to the Air Force vice chief of staff at the Pentagon.
At Shaw, Hyatt will lead the Air Force's largest F-16 combat wing, which is composed of 81 F-16CJ Fighting Falcons and is supported by 5,600 military men and women and 1,200 civilian workers.
About the 20th Fighter wing
The primary missions of the 20th are the suppression of enemy air defenses and destruction of enemy air defenses.
The Wing provided forces in April 1999 for North Atlantic Treaty Organization's Operation Allied Force in the European theater. A Shaw pilot deployed to Aviano Air Base, Italy, during the conflict shot down an enemy MiG-29.
For 10 years, the 20th FW and its F-16CJ squadrons flew contingency rotations in support of Operations Northern and Southern Watch. The wing also flew combat air patrols in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.
In February 2003, Shaw deployed approximately 1,300 servicemembers and 15 aircraft in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operations Northern and Southern Watch successfully culminated with the advent of hostilities in Iraq.
Hyatt comes to Shaw after serving as the executive officer to the Air Force vice chief of staff at the Pentagon.
At Shaw, Hyatt will lead the Air Force's largest F-16 combat wing, which is composed of 81 F-16CJ Fighting Falcons and is supported by 5,600 military men and women and 1,200 civilian workers.
About the 20th Fighter wing
The primary missions of the 20th are the suppression of enemy air defenses and destruction of enemy air defenses.
The Wing provided forces in April 1999 for North Atlantic Treaty Organization's Operation Allied Force in the European theater. A Shaw pilot deployed to Aviano Air Base, Italy, during the conflict shot down an enemy MiG-29.
For 10 years, the 20th FW and its F-16CJ squadrons flew contingency rotations in support of Operations Northern and Southern Watch. The wing also flew combat air patrols in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.
In February 2003, Shaw deployed approximately 1,300 servicemembers and 15 aircraft in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operations Northern and Southern Watch successfully culminated with the advent of hostilities in Iraq.
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