Col. John Seten (left) and Lt. Col. Rick Larson.
Capt. Todd Epp
Public Affairs Officer
South Dakota Wing
SOUTH DAKOTA—Col. John Seten and Lt. Col. Rick Larson are the South Dakota Wing’s new commander and vice commander, respectively.
Seten most recently held the position of wing director of operations. An incident commander and mission pilot, during extensive flooding last year he flew many photo missions in support of the state’s and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief efforts and also directed other missions.
Seten, a 14-year member of Sioux Falls Fire Rescue, is retired from the South Dakota Air National Guard.
“I am honored to having been named to the position of wing commander,” he said. “Our organization is ever-changing in regards to our emergency services mission as we find ourselves working more with Homeland Security and other federal organizations.
“We will continue to maintain and improve upon our other two missions, aerospace education and cadet programs, as well. I see great things coming for our organization in the next few years,” Seten said.
Larson has achieved certifications and advanced training in a number disaster and emergency response related fields and has participated in numerous ground and air searches and other missions in support of the U.S. Air Force and other agencies.
He is a former commander of the Sioux Falls Composite Squadron and most recently was the wing’s assistant operations director.
A senior master sergeant in the state Air National Guard, Larson is the installation emergency manager for the Sioux Falls ANG Base.
“I am pleased and honored to serve as vice commander and look forward to helping Col. Seten guide the wing to new levels of success,” Larson said.
