Change of Command at Kingsley Field

  • Published
  • 173rd Fighter Wing

A change of command will take place May 15, 1 p.m. at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Ore.  Colonel Lee Bouma, who has nearly 25 years of military experience, will take command of the 173rd Fighter Wing during an official change of command ceremony.

Bouma has a wide range of experience to include four years as an enlisted F-16 crew chief until he commissioned into the Montana National Guard in 2002.  He has been a member or the Oregon Air National Guard since 2015.  Bouma is currently serving as the 173rd Maintenance Group Commander, and has previously held numerous positions in the 173rd Fighter Wing, including Maintenance Squadron Commander, Mission Support Group Deputy Commander, and 114th Fighter Squadron Chief of Standards and Evaluation. 

“Col Bouma’s leadership, capabilities and diverse experiences...make him the absolute right choice to lead the ‘Land of No Slack’ at this critical time,” said Brig. Gen. Donna Prigmore, Oregon Air National Guard commander.  “In addition to his history with the 173rd Fighter Wing, Col. Bouma gained invaluable conversion experiences—one related to a transition from F-16s to F-15s, and the other from F-15s to C-130Hs—during his time with the Montana ANG. Clearly his conversion experience and leadership acumen is what we need at this time as we prepare the wing for the F-15EX.”

Bouma will replace Col. Jeff Edwards, who has commanded the wing since 2019.

Editor’s Note:  This event is not open to the general public; however, media is invited to attend.  If you would like to cover the 173rd Fighter Wing Change of Command, please contact Senior Master Sgt. Jennifer Shirar at 541-885-6677 to arrange base access by Friday, May 13.

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