Leadership Changes for the Oregon Air National Guard Published Sept. 25, 2013 By Tech. Sgt. John Hughel 142nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs PORTLAND AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ore. -- Members of the Oregon Air National Guard assembled at the Anderson Readiness Center in Salem, Ore., on Sept. 8, 2013, to observe the change of command ceremony for the Oregon Air National Guard, as Brig. Gen. Steven Gregg presented the colors to Brig. Gen. Michael Stencel. Prior to his promotion to head the Oregon Air National Guard, Stencel had been the Assistant Adjutant General (Air) and had served as the Commander of the 142nd Fighter Wing at the Portland Air National Guard Base, Ore. As the commander of the Oregon Air National Guard, Brig. Gen. Stencel will oversee the organization and ongoing training of more than 2,200 Air Guardsmen based throughout the state of Oregon. Brig. Gen. Gregg, who joined the Oregon Air National Guard in 1984, first took command of the Oregon Air National on Jan. 8, 2011. He also served as the Director of Operations at Joint-Force Headquarters in Salem, Ore., and as the Commander of the 142nd Fighter Wing. A formal retirement ceremony is scheduled for Brig. Gen. Gregg in October. After the change of commanders, the Oregon Air National Guard State Command Chief Change of Authority took place as Chief Master Sgt. Patrick "Andy" Gauntz assumed command from Command Chief Master Sgt. Mark Russell. Russell had served as the State's top Air Guard enlisted Noncommissioned Officer since Jan. 11, 2011. Chief Gauntz previously served with the 116th Air Control Squadron, Oregon Air National Guard, Camp Rilea, Warrenton, Ore., before being selected to lead as the new Oregon State Command Chief.