Maintenance Group commander promoted Published March 25, 2015 By Master Sgt. Chris Durney 189th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. -- On the afternoon of Saturday, March 7, the 189th Airlift Wing hangar filled with well-wishers, co-workers, friends and family to see Chris Montanaro promoted from lieutenant colonel to colonel. Montanaro is the commander of the 189th Maintenance Group and is responsible for all back shop maintenance and maintenance support activities to the wing's fleet of aircraft. He has been a commissioned officer since 1990, and a member of the Arkansas Air National Guard since 2000. Col. Montanaro has more than 4,500 flying hours in C-130 aircraft, and served as a C-130 evaluator pilot, assistant chief of current operations, and commander of three different squadrons of the 189th before taking the reins of the Maintenance Group in June of 2014. Col. Montanaro's wife Martha Ann, and daughters Rachel and Ashley, helped him pin on his new rank during a ceremony that reflected his gregarious personality.