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Col. Steiner assumes command of the 911th Aeromedical Staging Squadron

By Airman First Class Grace Thomson, 911th Airlift Wing Public Affairs / Published June 14, 2018

Members of the 911th Aeromedical Staging Squadron and Col. Steiner's husband Paul Steiner stand at the end of the assumption of command ceremony for Col. Steiner, the new commander of the 911th Aeromedical Staging Squadron at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania, June 2, 2018. Col. Steiner's husband Paul attended the ceremony to support her as she assumes command. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Grace Thomson)
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Members of the 911th Aeromedical Staging Squadron and Col. Steiner's husband Paul Steiner stand at the end of the assumption of command ceremony for Col. Steiner, the new commander of the 911th Aeromedical Staging Squadron at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania, June 2, 2018. Col. Steiner's husband Paul attended the ceremony to support her as she assumes command. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Grace Thomson)

Col. Karen Steiner, commander of the 911th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, addresses the squadron after assuming command at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve, Pennsylvania Station June 2, 2018. During her speech Steiner said that she was honored to be selected for this position. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Grace Thomson)
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Col. Karen Steiner, commander of the 911th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, addresses the squadron after assuming command at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve, Pennsylvania Station June 2, 2018. During her speech Steiner said that she was honored to be selected for this position. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Grace Thomson)

Col. Douglas Strawbridge, commander of the 911th Airlift Wing, and Col. Karen Steiner, commander of the 911th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, stand at attention to start the assumption of command ceremony at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania, June 2, 2018. The ceremony is a military tradition that represents the passing of authority of a command from one officer to another and has great symbolism attached to the change of command. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Grace Thomson)
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Col. Douglas Strawbridge, commander of the 911th Airlift Wing, and Col. Karen Steiner, commander of the 911th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, stand at attention to start the assumption of command ceremony at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania, June 2, 2018. The ceremony is a military tradition that represents the passing of authority of a command from one officer to another and has great symbolism attached to the change of command. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Grace Thomson)

Col. Douglas Strawbridge, commander of the 911th Airlift Wing and Col. Karen Steiner, commander of the 911th Aeromedical Staging Squadron , salute each other during an assumption of command ceremony at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania, June 2, 2018. Steiner assumed command of the Aeromedical Staging Squadron during the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Grace Thomson)
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Col. Douglas Strawbridge, commander of the 911th Airlift Wing and Col. Karen Steiner, commander of the 911th Aeromedical Staging Squadron , salute each other during an assumption of command ceremony at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania, June 2, 2018. Steiner assumed command of the Aeromedical Staging Squadron during the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Grace Thomson)

Col. Douglas Strawbridge, commander of the 911th Airlift Wing , and Col. Karen Steiner, commander of the 911th Aeromedical Staging Squadron , pass the flag at the assumption of command ceremony at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania June 2, 2018. This act symbolizes that Steiner is assuming responsibility for the 911th Aeromedical Staging Squadron. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Grace Thomson)
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Col. Douglas Strawbridge, commander of the 911th Airlift Wing , and Col. Karen Steiner, commander of the 911th Aeromedical Staging Squadron , pass the flag at the assumption of command ceremony at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania June 2, 2018. This act symbolizes that Steiner is assuming responsibility for the 911th Aeromedical Staging Squadron. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Grace Thomson)

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PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AIR RESERVE STATION, Pa. --

Airmen of the 911th Aeromedical Staging Squadron filled the room to watch a ceremony honoring Col. Karen Steiner here, June 2, 2018.

 

Col. Douglas Strawbridge, commander of the 911th Airlift Wing, passed the 911th ASTS guidon to Steiner symbolizing Steiner’s assumption of command of the 911th ASTS. Steiner is succeeding Col. Sharon Colaizzi, the former 911th ASTS commander, who retired from her position in January.

 

Steiner held two other commands before taking on the 911th ASTS. Steiner said that she is proud to come back to Pittsburgh where everything started for her. She was part of the 911th ASTS when she first became a reservist in 2007, and was the commander of the 911th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron from 2011 to 2015.

 

“It’s nice to come full circle from where I started and I’m excited to lead the charge for this squadron,” said Steiner after the ceremony.

 

Strawbridge praised Steiner in his speech during the ceremony as she has been with the squadron for a few months and has already been standing up for the squadron as the wing moves forward. 

 

“I have worked with her for four months now and she is completely integrated into the team and is already taking her squadron in the direction I want to see all of them go,” said Strawbridge after the ceremony.

 

Steiner said that being a commander has been one of the most challenging jobs, but also one of the most rewarding. Her goal is to be a mentor to the Airmen under her command and to help them grow.


“I promise you I am going to push you harder than you’ve ever been pushed,” Steiner said during her speech, “but I will also be right beside you.”

 

Steiner was accompanied to the ceremony by her husband, Paul Steiner. Steiner said her husband has been a tremendous support to her throughout this process and her military career.