August is new 72nd ARS commander Published Dec. 15, 2005 By Technical Sgt. Doug Hays 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Lieutenant Colonel Laen D. August, a resident of Valparaiso, Ind., took command of the 72nd Air Refueling Squadron during a recent assumption of command ceremony at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind.The 72nd Air Refueling Squadron is one of two flying units assigned to the 434th Air Refueling Wing at Grissom ARB. Colonel August entered the Air Force in 1985 after graduating from Auburn University with a B.A. in History/Pre-Law. He is a command pilot with over 4000 military flying hours and is a veteran of Operations Allied Force, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. In his civilian occupation he is employed as a Boeing 777 First Officer with United Airlines at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.