Grand Forks Air Force Base will have a new commander on Wednesday when Col. Paul E. Baumann assumes command of the 319th Air Base Wing, according to an announcement from the base.
Baumann is currently vice commander of the 3rd Wing at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. The wing flies a mix of fighter jets, including F-22s, and cargo and support aircraft, including C-130s.
At one point in his career, Baumann was charged with training pilots for KC-135 flying tankers and C-17 cargo jets. The Grand Forks base, which once flew KC-135s, is a candidate to be the main base for flying tankers again.
Baumann replaces Col. Christopher Mann, the vice commander who took over temporarily in mid-March. The previous base commander, Col. Tim Bush, was relieved of command for not meeting physical fitness requirements.
