171st Air Refueling Wing Gets New Commander

IMPERIAL, Pa. (AP) - The Pennsylvania Air National Guard's 171st Air Refueling Wing has a new leader.

Wing Commander Col. Edward E. "Ted" Metzgar assumed command during a Saturday ceremony. He previously served as commander of the 128th Air Refueling Wing in Milwaukee.

The 171st uses KC-135 tankers to provide aerial refueling capability to the military. It's based near the Pittsburgh International Airport.

Metzgar received his commission in 1981 after graduating from the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He has more than 3,600 hours of flying experience.

Metzgar will be the 20th commander in the 171st's history. He replaced Col. Anthony J. Carrelli, who is being promoted to Air National Guard brigadier general. Carrelli served as commander since January 2012.

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