143d Mission Support Group Commander Promoted to Colonel

  • Published
  • By Master Sergeant Janeen Miller
  • 143d AW/PA
08/14/2013 --  In a ceremony held at Quonset Air National Guard Base, Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Hamel was promoted to Colonel. Col Hamel is the Commander of the 143d Mission Support Group, the largest of the four groups of the 143d Airlift Wing.

Prior to the official pinning ceremony Col Arthur Floru, Commander of the 143d AW, took a moment to say a few words about Col Hamel, thank his family and friends in attendance, and thank the 143d AW team. Col Floru mentioned that he has known Col Hamel for 30 years professionally and personally and if he had to describe him in one word the word would be "unselfish." He went on to add that during the grueling process of selecting a new Mission Support Group Commander Col Hamel said to him, "If you can't promote me, I don't care. If you can't pay me, I still don't care - I just want to be on the team," which further stressed Col Floru's sentiment.

Col Hamel was pinned by his wife Carol, former member of the 143d Medical Group, and his children, daughters Grace and Sophia and sons Antonio and Andrew. Col Hamel briefly addressed the troops and his family following his family adding, "No one gets to put on this rank without good people working for them. I am truly blessed to have people like you working for me."

Finally, in a long standing tradition, Col Hamel's wife Carol was promoted in the Unorganized Rhode Island Militia to the rank of Brigadier General to ensure Col Hamel knows his place in the home.

Congratulations to Colonel Hamel, his family, and the 143d Mission Support Group.