MANSFIELD – The 179th Airlift Wing in Mansfield made history on Saturday when Col. Allison Miller assumed command, becoming the first woman to lead an Ohio Air National Guard wing.
Local and state officials, members of the 179th and family and friends of Miller gathered for the official assumption of command ceremony on Saturday. It’s a milestone Miller does not take lightly.
“It really is an honor to be the first female commander,” Miller said. “Sometimes I think about how it’s 2018 and we still have firsts like this, but it’s a huge step forward and it’s a step forward for the state of Ohio.”
Miller will be responsible to the Assistant Adjutant General for Air to ensure the 179th’s 1,100 airmen are always ready to support the unit’s local, state and federal missions.
Maj. Gen. Stephen Markovich, commander of the Ohio Air National Guard, said he knew Miller was right for the job because of her strategic vision and her ability to build a team.
“Somewhere in this audience there’s a young airman…and 20 years from now with the right leadership, that young airmen is going to be up here,” Markovich said. “The most important thing I need you to do is take care of these people and develop them, and make them ready for your chair.”
Prior to her current position, Miller served as the Director of Safety, Air National Guard, and was responsible for managing all Air National Guard safety programs for 90 flying and mission support units, encompassing over 105,700 members.
Miller joined the Alabama Air National Guard in 1996. Before joining, she first earned her degree in aviation at Auburn University.
“I always wanted to do something in aviation, whatever that meant,” she said.
A decorated pilot with over 2,300 military flying hours (including 400 combat hours) and 3,000 civilian flying hours, Miller has served in Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, Inherent Resolve, and sat Alpha Alert in support of Homeland Defense.
Miller said she did live in Columbus, Ohio for a time in 2000, so she’s not a complete stranger to the area. She and her three kids have since moved to Ontario, and she began her first day at the 179th on Jan. 16.
As for her experience so far, Miller said the people of the 179th have been welcoming, and their pride in their service is evident.
“My vision for them is to take that foundation they already have and help better them, ensure that each one of these airmen are not just collectively the 179th but as an individual I can help them be the best they can be so they can do all they want to do in life,” Miller said.
“They’re serving the Guard, which is bigger than themselves, but they’re still an individual and I need to help them be the best they can be.”
