Commander of the 42nd Air Base Wing Col. Patrick Carley leads more than 1,400 airmen (plus contractor partners) as they support myriad functions for 42,000 people at Maxwell AFB and Gunter Annex. And while it’s a big task, he stresses that it’s not just a job; it’s an honor.
Where are you originally from? Burke, Virginia, in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.
What all does your work involve? The 42nd Air Base Wing is the foundation of Air University and our mission partners, and enables mission success. I have the honor to lead the airmen (active duty, civilian and contractor partners) in the mission of providing all medical, infrastructure, personnel, facility and quality of life support for 42,000 active duty, Reserve, civilian and contractor personnel, plus students and families at Maxwell AFB and Gunter Annex. We directly enable Air University, the 908th Airlift Wing, Air Force Material Command and Air Combat Command units, the Defense Information Systems Agency and more than 40 other mission partners. I tell my airmen, “Nothing happens on Maxwell-Gunter” without them. As the Installation Commander, I ensure the safety and security of both Maxwell and Gunter, and ensure good order, discipline and morale are as high as possible.
What’s your impression of Montgomery’s partnership with the base? In my 25 years in the Air Force, having served at 11 different permanent assignments and multiple overseas deployments, I’ve never experienced such an incredible partnership as the one here in the River Region. This is so essential because ultimately, we have the same goals: What benefits the airmen and families of Maxwell-Gunter ultimately benefits the citizens of Montgomery, and vice versa. The base is the largest economic contributor to the local economy, so when the mission thrives and grows at Maxwell-Gunter, that’s increased economic impetus in the local community. When the local schools get better outside the installation boundaries, that’s a benefit for military affiliated families as well.
What are your interests outside of work? Running and working out and spending time with my family, especially on vacations and day trips. There’s so much to see.
High Marks
In December 2019, the Airmen of the 42nd Air Base Wing were the recipients of the 2019 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, recognizing their high level of sustained performance over a two-year period.
