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27 SOMSG Change of Command

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ericka Engblom
  • 27 Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Col. Heather Buono, former Chief of the Test Support Division at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn., assumed command of the 27th Special Operations Mission Support Group during a change of command ceremony at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., July 19.

Brigadier General Buck Elton, 27th Special Operations Wing commander, presided over the ceremony in which Col. David Piech relinquished command of the 27 SOMSG to Buono. Piech has been re-assigned to Hurlburt Field, Fla., where he will become the Director of Installations and Mission Support.

"Col. Piech has led the transformation from a small fighter base to Air Force Special Operations Command's premier specialized airpower installation." said Elton. "It has been an honor to serve with him and I look forward to taking our experience, attitude and significant influence to our headquarters where we can continue to enable these men and women to build Cannon."

While new to AFSOC, Col. Buono is the ideal option for command of the 27 SOMSG due to her history in expeditionary combat operations, global mobility, disaster relief, Headquarters Air Force resourcing, environmental policy, composite wings, maintenance and logistics.

Buono has also been awarded numerous accommodations including the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with nine oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Award with one device, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four devices.

During the ceremony, Buono addressed the Air Commandos under her new command stating how grateful she is to have been given this opportunity to lead the 27 SOMSG.

"Colonel Piech has led this team to accomplish great things," said Buono. "I will work very hard to continue this record of excellence."

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