Maj. Joseph E. Gardenhour, a native of Hagerstown, took command of the 1st Maintenance Operations Squadron, U.S. Air Force, at Langley Air Force Base, Va., in a ceremony June 29.
Promoted to major in March 2005, he attended Air Command and Staff College from July 2005 to June 2006. From 2002 to 2005, he was assigned to the Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, where he served as executive officer.
His 12-year Air Force career also includes service in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, where he was F-15 maintenance advisor to the Royal Saudi Air Force.
Gardenhour, son of Richard L. and Patricia Gardenhour, graduated from Smithsburg High School in 1988 and earned his Air Force commission and a bachelor's degree in aerospace from Middle Tennessee State University in 1994. He also holds a Master of Aeronautical Science degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and a Masters of Military Operational Art and Science degree from Air University.
