142nd Operations Group gains new commander

Col. Aaron Mathena addresses members of the wing after assuming command of the 142nd Operations Group, July 23, 2021, Portland Air National Guard Base, Portland, Ore. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Steph Sawyer) Col. Mathena previously served as the 123rd Fighter Squadron Commander from 2016-2018. From there he attended the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in Boston, Mass., and from 2019 to 2021, served in various capacities at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va. "I've been in and out of the wing since 2012, " said Mathena. "But I've never forgotten that I am an Oregon Guardsman. So to have the fortune to come back and command the Operations Group is a special privilege."

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142nd Operations Group gains new commander

142nd Wing Vice Commander, Col. William Kopp (right) passes the 142nd Operations Group guidon to assuming commander, Col. Aaron Mathena during an official Assumption of Command ceremony, July 23, 2021, Portland Air National Guard Base, Portland, Ore. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Steph Sawyer) Col. Mathena previously served as the 123rd Fighter Squadron Commander from 2016-2018. From there he attended the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in Boston, Mass., and from 2019 to 2021, served in various capacities at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va. "I've been in and out of the wing since 2012, " said Mathena. "But I've never forgotten that I am an Oregon Guardsman. So to have the fortune to come back and command the Operations Group is a special privilege."

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
142nd Operations Group gains new commander

Col. Aaron Mathena addresses members of the wing after assuming command of the 142nd Operations Group, July 23, 2021, Portland Air National Guard Base, Portland, Ore. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Steph Sawyer) Col. Mathena previously served as the 123rd Fighter Squadron Commander from 2016-2018. From there he attended the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in Boston, Mass., and from 2019 to 2021, served in various capacities at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va. "I've been in and out of the wing since 2012, " said Mathena. "But I've never forgotten that I am an Oregon Guardsman. So to have the fortune to come back and command the Operations Group is a special privilege."

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142nd Operations Group gains new commander

Published July 27, 2021
By Tech. Sgt. Steph Sawyer
142nd Wing / Public Affairs

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Col. Aaron Mathena addresses members of the wing after assuming command of the 142nd Operations Group, July 23, 2021, Portland Air National Guard Base, Portland, Ore. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Steph Sawyer) Col. Mathena previously served as the 123rd Fighter Squadron Commander from 2016-2018. From there he attended the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in Boston, Mass., and from 2019 to 2021, served in various capacities at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va. "I've been in and out of the wing since 2012, " said Mathena. "But I've never forgotten that I am an Oregon Guardsman. So to have the fortune to come back and command the Operations Group is a special privilege."