Col. Greg Semmel Selected to Become New Commander of 174th Fighter Wing

New York Air National Guard Col. Greg A. Semmel, a member of the 174th Fighter Wing since 2000, has been named the new commander of the 174th Fighter Wing. Semmel takes command of the wing from Col. Kevin W. Bradley on March 4, 2012. Semmel has served as the Assistant Vice Commander of the 174th Fighter Wing since March 2011. Among other assignments, Semmel previously served as the Operations Group Commander for the 174th Fighter Wing, as well as an operational test/evaluation pilot at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida and an instructor at the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Call/Released)

A New Commander on the Horizon

New York Air National Guard Col. Greg A. Semmel addresses Hancock Field members after being announced as the new 174th Fighter Wing Commander at Hancock Field in Syracuse, NY on February 4, 2012. Semmel is a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours, including over 125 combat missions in various operations to include Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Noble Eagle. He will assume command during a March 4, 2012 change of command ceremony. (New York Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeremy M. Call/Released)

A New Commander is announced

New York Air National Guard Col. Greg A. Semmel addresses members of Hancock Field Air National Guard Base as the newly selected 174th Fighter Wing Commander on February 4, 2012. Semmel has served as Assistant Vice Commander and Operations Group Commander for the 174th Fighter Wing, as well as an operational test/evaluation pilot at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida and an instructor at the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. He will assume commander during a ceremony held on March 4, 2012. (New York Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeremy M. Call/Released)

And the new Hancock Field Commander is...

New York Air Natinoal Guard Col. Kevin W. Bradley, 174th Fighter Wing Commander, announces his successor to unit members at Hancock Field in Syracuse, NY on February 4, 2012. New York Air National Guard Col. Greg A. Semmel, current Assistant Vice Commander for the Wing, was chosen by Maj. Gen. Patrick A. Murphy, the Adjutant General of New York State. (New York Air National Guard Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeremy M. Call/Released)

Col. Greg Semmel Selected to Become New Commander of 174th Fighter Wing

Published Feb. 7, 2012
By Maj Jeffrey Brown
174th Fighter Wing

Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Syracuse, NY -- Col. Greg A. Semmel, a member of the 174th Fighter Wing since 2000 and a Jamesville resident, has been named the new commander of the 174th Fighter Wing.

Semmel takes command of the wing from Col. Kevin W. Bradley on March 4. Bradley is being reassigned to New York Air National Guard headquarters in Latham.

Semmel has served as the Assistant Vice Commander of the 174th Fighter Wing since March 2011. In that position, he assisted the 174th Commander in leading a combat wing supporting the MQ-9 remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), the MQ-9 Field Training Detachment (FTD), the MQ-9 Formal Training Unit (FTU), and three geographically separated units; organizing, training, equipping and deploying combat-ready forces for Air and Space Expeditionary Forces (AEFs); and providing installation security, services, direct mission support and airfield management to the six mission partners and 1,200 plus military members of Hancock Field.

"Col Greg Semmel's experience in the Air National Guard and the active Air Force has prepared him to be an exceptionally capable commander for the 174th Fighter Wing. Col Kevin Bradley led the 174th Fighter Wing successfully through the transition from manned F-16 fighters to remotely piloted MQ-9 Reaper aircraft and I am confident Col Semmel will continue the wing's tradition of excellence," said Major General Patrick Murphy, the Adjutant General of New York.

"I am truly honored to have been selected by The Adjutant General of the State of New York to lead such an extraordinary organization as the 174th Fighter Wing," Semmel said. "I look forward to working with all of the airmen of Hancock Field to continue our tradition of excellence in providing air and space power to the combatant commander, and supporting the Governor of New York when tasked."

Among other assignments, Semmel previously served as the Operations Group Commander for the 174th Fighter Wing, as well as an operational test/evaluation pilot at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida and an instructor at the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

Semmel graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1986, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours, including over 125 combat missions in various operations to include Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Noble Eagle.