Gauger promoted to 188th Fighter Wing vice commander, colonel

by Maj. Heath Allen
188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs



Col. Thomas Anderson, then-188th Fighter Wing commander, left, swears in then-Lt. Col. Peter Gauger as 188th Fighter Wing vice commander during a formal ceremony April 14. Gauger was also promoted to colonel during the ceremony. (National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Hannah Landeros, 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

4/14/2012 - FORT SMITH, Ark. -- The 188th Fighter Wing named a new vice wing commander and promoted a new colonel April 14 during a formal ceremony held at Ebbing Air National Guard Base.

Col. Pete Gauger was promoted to colonel and elevated to the position of 188th Fighter Wing vice commander during the ceremony, which also included a 188th Mission Support Group change of command. Gauger, the former 188th Mission Support Group commander, handed the group's reins to Lt. Col. Tenise Gardner during the event.

"Col. Gauger's ability to solve complex issues with resolve and determination makes him a true asset to this wing," said Col. Thomas Anderson, then-188th Fighter Wing commander. "Since taking the reins of the Mission Support Group in 2009, Col. Gauger's keen insight, trusted counsel and astute leadership were instrumental in helping the 188th surmount a vast array of challenges. His counsel will without question be an asset to wing leadership as he moves on to his new assignment as the wing's vice commander."

Gauger joined the active duty Air Force in 1979 as an enlisted member in Accounting and Finance. Gauger was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, where he worked in Materiel and Accounts Control for the Comptroller Squadron of Alaska Air Command.

He joined the 188th Fighter Wing in 1985 and served a total of eight years as an enlisted member in the Financial Management (FM) Flight of the Air National Guard before earning a commission as a full-time budget officer in 1992.

Gauger transitioned to an active duty Guard and Reserve position as the 188th's logistics plans officer in 1996. Gauger returned to FM in 2000 as the 188th's comptroller before taking over the wing executive staff officer position in 2005 and was named the Mission Support Group commander in October 2009.

"I am honored that I have been entrusted with the position of vice commander," Gauger said. "I look forward to serving an amazing group of hardworking, driven Airmen who have helped make the 188th one of the best units in the Air National Guard. I have confidence that the dedication of our Airman and the outstanding community support will help ensure the future of the 188th is a bright one."

As vice commander, Gauger will be charged with formulating, planning and providing staff input for operations, deployment, maintenance and support policies. He will furnish leadership and guidance on administration of flying safety for the A-10C Thunderbolt II flying program. He will also evaluate the combat readiness for more than 1,000 authorized personnel.

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