Air Force Colonel Esther Sablan, a daughter of Saipan, was recently named the first female wing commander of the New Mexico Air National Guard’s 150th Special Operations Wing.
Col. Sablan was promoted to her new rank in January, choosing to hold her promotion ceremony in the congressional office of CNMI Delegate Gregorio "Kilili" Sablan in Washington, D.C.
Col. Sablan served multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan as a combat search and rescue pilot. In her new post with the 150th, she will oversee their current missions which include flight training, aircraft maintenance, intelligence targeting and combat and medical support.
"Congratulations, Col. Sablan, on your new leadership role as you continue to make the Marianas proud," said Delegate Sablan.