The 314th Airlift Wing has a new commander, but Col. Rowayne A. Schatz is no stranger to these parts. A decade ago, he commanded the 50th Airlift Squadron at the base, where the squadron was voted the best in Air Mobility Command.
Col. Schatz has distinguished himself with every assignment before getting his next promotion. He’s been selected to receive his first star, so soon you’ll be able to call him Gen. Schatz.
He has held several important positions, from Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, to Yokota Air Base in Japan, from McChord Air Force Base in Washington state to U.S. Central Command in the Middle East.
An outstanding C-130 pilot and instructor, Col. Schatz combines flying and management skills that have earned him his plum assignment as commander of the 314 Airlift Wing.
The Air Force sends us the best, as Maj. Gen. Irv Halter, commander of the 19th Air Force, who officiated at Wednesday’s change-of-command ceremony, pointed out. The general praised Col. Schatz as a top-notch Air Mobility expert who is a natural to lead the wing to greater heights.
“Wayne is no stranger to the C-130 and Little Rock. This provides the wing an unusual advantage…He knows this mission and he knows this community. Minimum spin up required, he’s ready to roll,” Halter said.
“We have great confidence in you,” Halter told Schatz. “We have given you one of our toughest units at a pivotal time, and we could think of no one that is better for this job.”
With that kind of endorsement, it’s no surprise that Col. Schatz now leads the men and women of Little Rock Air Force Base. Welcome back!
