New vice commander steps in at Shaw Published Jan. 21, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Holly Brown 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The 20th Fighter Wing received a new vice commander Dec. 30, who previously served as a plans division chief at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Colonel Dean Anderson filled the vice commander position, which has been vacant since Col. Joseph Guastella moved from vice commander to wing commander Oct. 29, 2008. "I view my role as standing in for Col. Guastella when he is away and supporting him in all of his endeavors and his goals for the wing," Col. Anderson said. Shaw is Col. Anderson's 14th assignment including his four assignments as a student for pilot training and Air War College. However, this is his first stateside assignment as permanent party. "Shaw has an outstanding reputation," the colonel said. "It's a great place to fly jets and the local community is so supportive of the base--I'm just really excited to be here." Colonel Anderson served as a squadron commander at Eielson AFB, Alaska, which he said is a stepping stone toward being a vice commander. "So far I'm just learning the job. Being a fighter squadron commander, you kind of have one job in life--to train pilots and go to war if you have to," he said. "Being a vice commander, you touch so many other aspects of the base." The Colonel said it is a new experience for him. "Yesterday, I spent all day with the 20th Mission Support Group, just learning what they do," Anderson said. "I had no idea about all the stuff they do. I'm excited to learn it all and very interested in learning all of the aspects of Shaw Air Force Base." Colonel Anderson said while he is at Shaw, he plans on supporting the base in accomplishing the mission as safely as possible.