ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. –
Colonel Steven M. Shepro assumed command of the 316th Wing Thursday morning during a ceremony in Hangar 1.
After serving as vice commander of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Balad Air Base, Iraq from July 2007 to July 2008, Colonel Shepro succeeds Colonel Paul R. Ackerley, who departed earlier this month for Randolph Air Force Base after commanding for two years.
Colonel Shepro is a command pilot with over 2,800 flying hours, 540 in combat, in fighters and helicopters including the F-16, A-10, and H-1. He has commanded frontline combat units of Battlefield Airmen at the squadron and group level, served on the Air Staff, Coalition headquarters staff and with Army ground units.
Colonel Shepro earned his commission in 1984 as a distinguished graduate of the United States Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree and is also an Olmsted Scholar. He completed his Masters of Science at the Universite de Strasbourg, France, and his Masters of National Security at the National War College, Washington, D.C. He has also completed Squadron officer School, Army Airborne School, Air Command and Staff College and Air War College.
During his career he has earned the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal and Air Force Combat Action Medal.