Air National Guard Commander At Montco Base Bids Farewell

HORSHAM, PA — A Pennsylvania Air National Guard commander recently stepped down from his post after being named commander-select of the 193 Special Operations Wing based in Harrisburg.

Col. Edward J. Fink, Jr., who was the commander of the 111th Attack Wing based in Horsham Township, said goodbye to his fellow wingmen during a recent celebration at the Montgomery County base, one that included a celebratory spray from a hose provided by the Horsham Township Fire Department.

"Ed will certainly be missed at the 111th Attack Wing as he leaves to assume command of the 193d Special Operations Wing," Col. Deane Thomey, current 111th Attack Wing commander, said in a statement.

The recent outgoing ceremony, dubbed a "fini-flight celebration," is a tradition during which a departing pilot is sprayed with water by relatives and friends after a final flight with his or her wing, group or squadron, according to a 111th Attack Wing news release.

While in his position of commander of the 111th, Fink was involved with training and preparedness, combat and training operations, and more.

He is a MQ-9 qualified pilot.

Fink, who left active service back in 1988 when he joined the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, enlisted in the United States Air Force back in the summer of 1985, according to a bio provided by the Air National Guard.

While attending Penn State University, Fink worked as an aircraft munitions maintenance team chief at the 111th Fighter Wing, at the Willow Grove Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base.

He briefly spent time training in Arizona and later returned to the Willow Grove base, which is located in Horsham Township.

Fink is well-regarded among his fellow servicemen and women.

"Col. Fink taught me how to employ command responsibility and authority, and he left an indelible positive mark on my career as a Squadron Commander and Air Force Office," Lt. Col. Pete Bigley, commander of the 103rd Attack Squadron, a smaller unit within the 111th, said in a statement. "There is nothing better as a squadron commander than to know that your Group Commander has your back. It was an honor to serve and fight with him and I am so excited for the 193rd and the Fink family."

Fink has logged more than 3900 hours of military flight time and is well-versed in a variety of aircraft, according to the Pennsylvania Air National Guard.

He is a veteran of Operations South Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and has 506 hours of combat flight time under his belt.

Fink is also a first officer with American Airlines.