36th Wing Change of Command Published May 22, 2025 36th Wing ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam. -- ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, GUAM - Col. Charles D. Cooley assumed command of the 36th Wing from Brig. Gen. Thomas B. Palenske during a change of command ceremony, May 22, 2025. Lt. Gen. Case Cunningham, 11th Air Force Commander, presided over the ceremony. Cunningham thanked Brig. Gen. Palenske, outgoing 36th Wing commander, for his leadership and authenticity over the last two years and recognized the impact he left on the base, the local area and the Airmen. Brig. Gen. Thomas Palenske officially relinquished command after serving at his 25th and final assignment in the United States military and will be retiring after 39 years of service. He shared his thoughts in his farewell to the wing. “Thank you for having the minerals to make the cuts necessary to be where you’re at right now, but to also have the value to serve something greater than yourself,” said Palenske. “It’s been an honor to serve alongside you.” The departure of one command team signaled the welcoming of a new one as Cooley assumed command. Before coming to Andersen, Cooley served as the Deputy Commander for the 618th Air Operations Center (AOC). The 618th AOC is responsible for operational planning, scheduling, directing, and assessing a fleet of approximately 1,100 aircraft, executing the air mobility mission. “Over the last three years, I’ve had the privilege of watching this Wing at work from afar, on the other side of the globe, and you are simply amazing. The professionalism, reputation, and competence of the Airmen in this Wing carries across geographical boundaries,” said Cooley. “You know your mission and you execute it with precision every single day.” Colonel Cooley received his commission in 1999 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps as a graduate of West Virginia University. He has served in a variety of staff positions at the 618th Air Operations Center, Air Mobility Command, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, United States Congress, and the personal office of the Secretary of Defense. Finally, throughout his career he has logged more than 3,100 flight hours as an airlift and tanker pilot. “As we prepare for the pacing threat, there is no doubt the Wing is well-postured to deliver combat power from this base for the Joint Force, our allies, and our partners, “said Cooley “I’m grateful for the opportunity to join this team and look forward to spending time with each and every one of you.” As the 36th Wing Commander, Cooley will now lead more than 8,000 joint military and civilian personnel executing bomber task forces, tanker task forces, theater security packages, contingency response operations and peacetime and combat operations in the Indo-Pacific.