Six officers selected for promotion to colonel Published Feb. 3, 2012 By John Cochran 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs KIRTLAND, AFB, M.M. -- Six Team Kirtland officers have been selected for promotion to colonel. The lieutenant colonels moving up are: - Harold E. Hardinge, Air Force Safety Center - Phillip A. Layman, 377th Air Base Wing - Clay E. Mason, 58th Maintenance Group - Richard P. Pagliuco, Air University (Los Alamos National Laboratory) - Carolyn J. Patrick, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center - Mark A. Suriano, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center Layman, the 377 ABW inspector general, described his reaction to hearing the news. "Utter surprise -- my jaw literally dropped. I was supposed to brief the 377 ABW leadership on inspection preparation when Col. Kubinec hijacked the meeting to tell me I'd been selected. I just froze there like a statue." He also said what the selection means to him. "I'm humbled the Air Force has the confidence in me to perform at that level. The Air Force rewards outstanding performance with awards and decorations, but rewards demonstrated potential with promotion. Promotion is the opportunity to serve our Air Force and our great nation at a higher strata of responsibility." Layman expressed gratitude to his wife and the Airmen he has served with for helping him reach the higher rank. "I have to thank Mary Italiano Layman, my beautiful bride, for believing in me for more than 20 years, through the joys and tribulations of an Air Force career. Also, I credit the leaders who challenged me, the subordinates who mentored and supported me, and the peers who encouraged me. This selection is due to their investment in me," he said. All of Team Kirtland is invited to the Colonels Selection Celebration at 4 p.m. today at the Mountain View Club MVP Room. Come by and congratulate Kirtland's newly selected colonels and join them for refreshments.