Change of Command Next Month At 927th Air Refueling Wing

Posted Dec 11, 2012 by Howard Altman

Updated Dec 11, 2012 at 01:44 PM

Col. Dave Pavey, commander of the 927th Air Refueling Wing, is doing the DOD shuffle, rotating out to take over as Director of Staff at 4th Air Force HQ, March AFB, CA.

There will be a change of command ceremony, Sat. Jan. 12. Col. Douglas Schwartz. Former Operations Group Commander at the 927th, will be the new commander.

He is responsible for the organization, training, equipping, and worldwide readiness of a combined Reserve and civilian wing of approximately 800 people.  The 927th Air Refueling Wing flies the KC-135R Stratotanker whose missions consist of in flight air refueling, cargo and passenger airlift, aeromedical evacuation, and supporting contingencies and humanitarian operations around the world. 

Pavey assumed command of the 927th in April, 2010, arriving at MacDill after serving as the commander of the 447th Air Expeditionary Group, Sather AB, Baghdad, Iraq.

Pavey was commissioned through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1983. After completing pilot training in 1989, Colonel Pavey was assigned to Dover AFB, Del., where he flew the C-5 Galaxy in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Desert Calm. After 14 years of active duty service Colonel Pavey joined the Air Force Reserves.  He now serves as an Air Reserve Technician (ART), a full-time federal, civil service employee serving in a selected position within a military unit. 

During his career, Pavey has been awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with one bronze star.

Pavey is rated as a command pilot with more than 5,500 hours and has flown the T-37, T-38, C-5, C-17 and KC-135R.