Grand Forks Air Force Base welcomes new commander Published May 16, 2013 By Tim Flack 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Col. Paul E. Bauman assumed command of the 319th Air Base Wing on Wednesday, opening a new chapter in the history of Grand Forks Air Force Base. Hundreds of Airmen and community guests - including several base ambassadors and honorary commanders - packed into 3-Bay Hangar for the early morning ceremony. Maj. Gen. William Bender, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center commander and presiding officer of the assumption-of-command ceremony, called Bauman the "right commander at the right time." The general ran through an impressive list of Bauman's accomplishments, and said that Bauman focuses on "aptitude, attitude and Airmanship." "He knows the Air Force from every possible angle," Bender said. "This officer is outstanding and he's the very best we have." Bender also thanked former commander Col. Tim Bush, and interim commander Col. Christopher Mann, for their hard work leading the Wing. Bauman thanked the Warriors of the North and the guests for welcoming him and his family to Grand Forks. "I'm excited yet humbled by the opportunity to command," said Bauman, who previously served as the 3rd Wing vice commander at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. He also lauded the civic leaders for their strong support of the base, saying local communities have long provided "critical societal nourishment." "Together we can build on an already strong record of accomplishment," Bauman said.