380AEW Article

New commander to lead 380th AEW

SOUTHWEST ASIA - Lt. Gen. Gary North, commander, U.S. Air Forces Central, gives a speech before presenting command of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing to Brig. Gen. Bryan Benson at a change of command ceremony, June 14 at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. General Benson comes from Scott AFB, Ill. as the vice commander for the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center, to lead the Airmen of the 380th AEW. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian J. Ellis) (Released)

New commander to lead 380th AEW

SOUTHWEST ASIA - Brig. Gen. Bryan Benson, commander, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing makes his first speech to Airmen of the 380th AEW after taking command during a ceremony, June 14 at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. General Benson comes from Scott AFB, Ill. as the vice commander for the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center, to lead the Airmen of the 380th AEW. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian J. Ellis) (Released)

New commander to lead 380th AEW

SOUTHWEST ASIA - Airmen of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing stand in their respective group's formation during a Wing Change of Command ceremony, June 14 at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. Lt. Gen Gary North, commander, Air Forces Central, presented command to Brig. Gen. Bryan Benson. General Benson comes from Scott AFB, Ill. as the vice commander for the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center, to lead the Airmen of the 380th AEW. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian J. Ellis) (Released)

380th AEW welcomes new commander

Published June 19, 2009
By Staff Sgt. Mike Andriacco
380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing formally said good-bye to its commander in a ceremony here, June 14.

Brig. Gen. H.D. Polumbo Jr., relinquished command of the wing to Brig. Gen. Bryan Benson, who arrives from the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. General Polumbo will move on to his new assignment as Director, Plans and Programs, Air Combat Command, at Langley Air Force Base, Va. Lt. Gen. Gary North, Commander, Air Forces Central, officiated the event.

"The tireless efforts of the wing are constantly in demand by our Central Command Commander," said General North. "The blanket of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, command and control, and refueling support that the wing provides is incredible."

General Benson graduated from Parks College of St. Louis University in 1982 and received his commission into the U.S. Air Force shortly thereafter in February of 1983. He has served in a variety of assignments and holds a command pilot rating with more than 4,000 flight-hours in the KC-135 R/T, KC-10, C-141B, T-1A, T-6A, T-37B and T-38A/C.

General Benson will command the 380th AEW for one year and took the opportunity to show his appreciation for the trust placed in him and express his confidence in the men and women of the 380th AEW.

"I'm humbled by the opportunity to command this great wing," General Benson said. "The 380th will be more than up to the challenge to execute the air tasking order. When it comes to the joint fight, rest assured that the 380th is all in."