N.H. Air National Guard Colonel Laurie Farris Promoted

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mark Wyatt
  • 157th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
PEASE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.H. --  Among a large audience of family, friends and colleagues, Lt. Col. Laurie Farris was promoted to Colonel in a ceremony here Dec. 3 officiated by Brig. Gen. Carolyn Protzmann.

Col. Farris is the new state director of operations responsible for future missions for the N.H. Air National Guard and is excited at the opportunities it will present.

"I appreciate the challenges this position will offer and promise to work hard in it," said Farris. "I look forward to helping shape the future of the N. H. Air National Guard."

A 1987 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Col. Farris completed a Bachelor of Science degree in organizational behavior during a time when attending the academy as a female was still in its infancy.

"My mom was an outside thinker, in 1976 they began allowing women to enroll in the service academies," said Farris. "She knew I wanted to fly airplanes and she had the foresight to suggest I attend the Air Force Academy."

After graduation from the academy, Col. Farris attended undergraduate pilot training at Vance AFB in Okla.

Col. Farris then spent six years on active duty serving in a variety of assignments, most notably deploying in support of Desert Shield Desert Storm in 1990.

Farris joined the New Hampshire Air National Guard in 1994, serving most of those 18 years in the 133rd Air Refueling Squadron, most recently serving as its proud commander.

"I'm very proud to continue having the privilege of wearing the 133rd patch and to fly with this great squadron," said Farris during her promotion ceremony remarks. "The 133rd is the best refueling squadron in the United States Air Force."

Col. Farris was notified of her promotion during the Oct. unit training assembly by Brig. Gen. Protzmann and is thankful for the people she has served with in the guard and the opportunities she has had.