MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 927th Mission Support Group welcomed their new commander, Col. Asan Bui, during a change of command ceremony here Jan. 6.
Col. Kurt Matthews, 927th Air Refueling Wing commander, presided over the ceremony, passing the unit’s guidon from Col. Alan Tornay to Bui.
“I want to return the honor to those who have given me the privilege to serve this great nation,” said Bui. “I'm looking forward to this new chapter with the challenges ahead, new experiences and relationships, and to what the future brings as Team MacDill works together, enabling integrated deterrence against near-peer adversaries.”
The 927th Mission Support Group encompasses more than 250 officer, enlisted and civilian personnel assigned to the security forces, force support and logistics readiness squadrons.
As commander, Bui is responsible for oversight, management and resource advocacy in manpower, military and civilian personnel, training, facility and public works, security, logistics and communications for the Reserve wing.
Bui has led throughout a variety of organizations including two assignments within the Joint Communications Support Element, MacDill AFB, Fla., and 920th Communications Flight, Patrick Space Force Base, Fla.
His military journey began with the U.S. Navy as an enlisted submarine yeoman however, his connection goes back to birth. Bui’s family escaped Vietnam by a fishing boat after the end of the Vietnam War in May of 1975 and were rescued in the South China Sea by a U.S. Navy carrier upon which he was later born.
“The journey here has been a humbling experience; learning new cultures and skills, but mostly meeting exceptional people along the way who are now part of my family,” said Bui.
Returning to MacDill as a commander of Citizen Airmen, Bui said he is dedicated to leading the men and women who provide installation support. The 927th Mission Support Group stands ready to train, develop and equip combat-ready Airmen.