Col. Robert Gellner, Commander, 183d Wing named Col. Lawrence Yazzie the new 183d Wing Mission Support Group Commander at an assumption of command ceremony on base, June 3, 2023. Before coming to the 183d Wing, Yazzie was formerly the Director of the National Guard Bureau Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. An Air Force Academy graduate, Yazzie brings over 20 years of experience to his new assignment.
Growing up on a Navajo reservation in Arizona, Yazzie dreamed of becoming an armed forces officer, but faced many challenges that came with reservation life. Despite limited educational opportunities growing up, Yazzie was accepted into the Air Force Academy, where he was a four-year member of the basketball team. One of only a handful of Native Americans to graduate from the academy, Yazzie went on to serve in the Active-Duty Air Force and in the civilian sector for Fortune 500 companies.
Before becoming the Director of the National Guard Bureau Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Yazzie served as the commander of the Iowa Air National Guard’s 168th Cyberspace Squadron. Throughout his military career, Yazzie sought to give back to his community and the armed forces, while instilling values of service, education and success to those under his command. Yazzie keeps the memory of his upbringing on a reservation close to his heart. He hopes to be a positive role model for the youth on the reservation and show them that they can overcome any obstacle.