Savannah Air Dominance Center welcomes new commander

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Savannah’s Combat Readiness Training Center— located at the Savannah Air National Guard Base— is welcoming new leadership, with a focus on staying connected to the community that helped shape the unit’s success.

Incoming commander Col. Rich Peace has taken command over the facility, emphasizing the community-first mission that has redefined the unit in recent years.

“I will never forget that our greatest asset are not the aircraft we fly, but the people to make the mission possible,” Col. Peace said.

Outgoing commander Col. Stephen Thomas, who assumed command back in 2023, helped strengthen ties between the training center and the community helping lead the unit from near devastation to what many now call the “Home of the Warfighter.”

The Air Dominance Center is a premier Air National Guard training facility specializing in 4th and 5th generation fighter combat training. Its core mission is to provide realistic air-to-air combat exercises for the Air National Guard, Active Duty Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps.

As the unit looks toward the future, leaders say community partnerships will continue to be top of mind.