Wing welcomes new commander at ceremony

  • Published
  • By Staff Report
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  The 39th Air Base Wing received a new commander following a ceremony at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009 in Hangar 4 here.

Col. Eric Beene succeeds Col. Philip McDaniel who will serve as the chief of staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va.

Colonel Beene is the former chief of strategy of the Directorate of Strategy, Policy and Assessments at Headquarters U.S. European Command, Patch Barracks, Germany.

Colonel Beene was commissioned in 1986 from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. He is a senior navigator with 1,895 flying hours in the F-111A, FB-111A, F-111E and F-15E. He has commanded at the squadron and group levels. In addition to Headquarters U.S. European Command, his previous staff tours include Headquarters U.S. Air Force and Headquarters 8th Air Force.

During his 23-year Air Force career, Colonel Beene has been awarded the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with one oak leaf clusters, Aerial Achievement Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters.