Colonel Brian S. Davis set to take command of 507th Air Refueling Wing

  • Published
  • By 507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
Col. Brian S. Davis assumes command of the 507th Air Refueling Wing during a 10 a.m. ceremony Feb. 8 at Tinker Air Force Base. Brig. Gen. John C. Flournoy Jr., 4th Air Force commander, will preside over the proceedings.

Colonel Davis served as the 459th Operations Group commander, Joint Base Andrews, Md. He will assume command of the largest Air Force Reserve Command flying unit in the state of Oklahoma.

"I'm very excited for the opportunity to lead the men and women of the 507th," Col. Davis said. "I know the Okies are an excellent unit that always sets the standard. I look forward to the move and can't wait to become an Okie myself."

Col. William Mason, 459th Air Refueling Wing commander, said Colonel Davis is a level headed officer with a unique ability to balance mission completion with the needs of his people.

"His down to earth personality along with his vast experience made him a very successful Operations Group commander," Colonel Mason said. "The men and women of the 507th will find their new commander firm but fair. These traits will serve him well as a wing commander."

Colonel Davis entered the Air Force after completing Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in April 1986. He entered pilot training at Reese Air Force Base, Texas, earning his wings in April 1987. His first operational assignment was as a B-52G pilot in the 596th Bombardment Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La.

After his initial assignment Col. Davis was selected as part of the initial cadre for the B-1B bomber in December 1989 and was assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., as a member of the 77th Bomb Squadron. While stationed at Ellsworth, he served in various positions including Standardization/Evaluation and was selected as a member of the B-1B initial tactics development team.

In August 1993, Colonel Davis separated from active duty and began his career as a restaurant owner and airline pilot. In August 1995, he joined the Air Force Reserve as a KC-135R aircraft commander and in January 2001 accepted a position as an Air Reserve Technician with the 916th Air Refueling Wing. While at the 916th he was assigned to numerous positions - evaluator pilot, chief of current operations and mission development, chief pilot, director of operations and commander. He is a command pilot with more than 5500 flying hours in the KC-135R, B-1B, B-52G, T-38, and T-37.