Get to know Col. Scott P. Weyermuller, 2nd Bomb Wing commander for Barksdale Air Force Base

Makenzie Boucher, Shreveport Times
·3 min read
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On a rainy spring day, Col. Scott P. Weyermuller allowed the Shreveport Times to sit with him to learn more about his role and the path he took to become commander for the 2nd Bomb Wing.

Weyermuller followed the lead of his father, who served in the Air Force.

"I kind of was immersed in flying, watching him growing up. He was actually my first instructor pilot. He taught me how to fly civilian aircraft," Weyermuller said. "He motivated me to go to the Air Force Academy."

Col. Scott Weyermuller is commander of the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base.
Col. Scott Weyermuller is commander of the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base.

In 1999, Weyermuller received his commission as a distinguished graduate from the academy. He went on to serve as a structural engineer in the A-10 Program Office, as a B-52 aircraft commander and as a B-2 instructor and evaluator pilot.

"Through a lot of fortunate timing, and just things working out, I have had a lot of great experiences and a lot of great opportunities," he said.

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But Weyermuller has a long list of accomplishments that have led him to this position. He is a recipient of the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, and Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters.

Col. Scott P. Weyermuller, incoming 2nd Bomb Wing commander, is congratulated by Col. Mark C. Dmytryszyn, outgoing 2nd Bomb Wing commander, during a change-of-command ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, March 31, 2022. Founded in 1947, the 2nd Bomb Wing is the largest bomb wing in Air Force Global Strike Command.
Col. Scott P. Weyermuller, incoming 2nd Bomb Wing commander, is congratulated by Col. Mark C. Dmytryszyn, outgoing 2nd Bomb Wing commander, during a change-of-command ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, March 31, 2022. Founded in 1947, the 2nd Bomb Wing is the largest bomb wing in Air Force Global Strike Command.

On March 31, Weyermuller replaced Col. Mark Dmytryszyn during a change-of-command ceremony.

"Over the six or seven weeks that I've been in the position, I do greatly appreciate the community interaction and the support we've received and that I've received in this position," Weyermuller said.

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What does it mean to be the commander of the 2nd Bomb Wing?

"My job here is not only to command the Bomb Wing aspect but also serves as the installation commander," Weyermuller said. "Barksdale Air Force Base is a pretty large enterprise in terms of we not only have the active duty Bomb Wings, we have the reserve Bomb Wing at Barksdale. We also support higher headquarters, the numbered Air Force and Eighth Air Force and then our Global Strike Command. There is a lot of business that goes on within this fence line."

Col. Scott P. Weyermuller, incoming 2nd Bomb Wing commander, makes remarks during the 2nd Bomb Wing change of command ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, March 31, 2022. Weyermuller is a command pilot with more than 2,500 flying hours in the B-2 and B-52 including more than 30 combat hours in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn.
Col. Scott P. Weyermuller, incoming 2nd Bomb Wing commander, makes remarks during the 2nd Bomb Wing change of command ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, March 31, 2022. Weyermuller is a command pilot with more than 2,500 flying hours in the B-2 and B-52 including more than 30 combat hours in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn.

As Barksdale’s installation commander, he supports 32 tenant units, including Headquarters, Air Force Global Strike Command; 8th Air Force Headquarters; and the Air Force Reserve Command’s 307th Bomb Wing.

Weyermuller's role is to promote the welfare of more than 11,400 military and civilian personnel, 6,300 family members and 25,000 retirees.

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"It is really an awesome responsibility and an awesome task," he said.

Weyermuller served as commander for the 393d Bomb Squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri from 2015 to 2017. He was responsible for the combat readiness of one of only two operational B-2 stealth bomber squadrons in the Air Force.

Col. Scott P. Weyermuller, right, incoming 2nd Bomb Wing commander, receives the guidon from Maj. Gen. Andrew J. Gebara, left, 8th Air Force and Joint-Global Strike Operations Center commander, during a change-of-command ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, March 31, 2022. Weyermuller is the 65th commander to lead the base since Barksdale first opened its gates in 1933.

Following that position, he was moved to Barksdale, where has served for four years.

In 2021, Weyermuller assumed the role of vice commander of the 8th Air Force, serving in that role until March 31.

"Our mission is fantastic," he said.

The U.S. has the only air force with a long-range strategic capability, Weyermuller said. "Being a part of that, and that mission set, ... is really an awesome responsibility and an awesome task."

More: She's the first woman in the Air Force to lead a B-52 squadron and she's at Barksdale

Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Get to know Barksdale's commander, Col. Scott P. Weyermuller