Miller takes command of 377th ABW

Col. David Miller, the new 377th Air Base Wing commander, receives his first salute from the Airmen of the 377th ABW during the change of command ceremony at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., June 21, 2019. Miller comes to Kirtland from Malmstrom AFB, Mont., where he was commander of the 341st Maintenance Group. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Eli Chevalier)

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Col. David Miller (right), incoming 377th Air Base Wing commander, receives the guidon and command of the 377th Air Base Wing from 20th Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Ferdinand B. Stoss III in a ceremony June 21, 2019 at Kirtland Air Force Base. Stoss officiated the transfer of command from former commander Col. Richard Gibbs in a traditional change of command ceremony at Kirtland’s Hangar 333. Miller comes to Kirtland from Malmstrom AFB, Mont., where he was commander of the 341st Maintenance Group. Gibbs, selected for brigadier general, is on his way to Air Mobility Command and Scott AFB, Ill., where he will become the Director of Logistics, Engineering, and Force Protection (A4). (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Austin J. Prisbrey)

Miller takes charge of 377th Air Base Wing

Col. Richard Gibbs, former 377th Air Base Wing commander, is awarded a Legion of Merit by Maj. Gen. Ferdinand B. Stoss III, 20th Air Force commander, during the 377th ABW Change of Command Ceremony at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., June 21, 2019. Gibbs, selected for brigadier general, will head to Air Mobility Command and Scott AFB, Ill., where he will become the A4 Director of Logistics, Engineering, and Force Protection. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Eli Chevalier)

Miller takes charge of 377th Air Base Wing

Maj. Gen. Ferdinand B. Stoss III, 20th Air Force commander, provides opening remarks during the 377th Air Base Wing Change of Command Ceremony at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., June 21, 2019. During the ceremony, command of the 377th ABW was transferred from Col. Richard Gibbs to Col. David Miller. (U.S Air Force photo by Senior Airman Eli Chevalier)

Miller takes charge of 377th Air Base Wing

Published June 21, 2019
By Staff Reports
Kirtland PA

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --

The 377th Air Base Wing, Kirtland’s host organization, has a new commander. Col. David S. Miller assumed command of the 377th in a ceremony June 21, here.

After remarks congratulating the inbound and outbound commanders, the 20th Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Ferdinand B. Stoss III presided over the transfer of command.

Miller comes to Team Kirtland from Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, where he served as commander of the 341st Maintenance Group. The new 377th ABW commander is a career munitions maintenance officer who entered the U.S. Air Force by commissioning through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program in 1998. Miller holds graduate degrees from George Washington University, the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies and the Air War College.

Miller is now charged with overseeing the mission of Kirtland’s host organization. The 377th ABW supports more than 100 mission partners across the installation; engaged in missions including research and development, test and evaluation, nuclear enterprise support and special operations and combat rescue training. Team Kirtland includes more than 23,000 military and civilian employees.

After accepting charge of the 377th, Miller said he was eager to join Team Kirtland and its engagement in vital national defense missions.

“As ‘fighting tigers’ we have a proud legacy to live up to and add to. But the job is hard, we never seem to have enough resources. We all carry personal struggles we work through day in and out. As your commander. I will bring a fighting spirit to get after these challenges,” said Miller. “Together, we will courageously fight through the hard work. We will embrace innovation and diversity of thought, and we will accept prudent risk to get the mission done when appropriate. We will be compassionate of each other’s needs to succeed as a team. Through this, with you, the legacy will continue.”

Before Miller received his first salute from a formation of assembled Airmen—his new command—the formation rendered a final salute to Gibbs, their leader since his arrival in June 2017.

Gibbs led the 377th through a series of successes, including no-fail execution of support to the nuclear enterprise, improving security and traffic flow at several installation gates, and revamping programs that support Airmen and their families. He said the experience had left him and his family grateful for their time at Kirtland.

“Tigers, you have met my intent and you have exceeded my expectations,” said Gibbs. “I wish you a very fond farewell, and continued success.”

The Gibbs family is now on their way to Scott AFB, Illinois, where Col. Gibbs will become the Director of Logistics, Engineering, and Force Protection (A4) at Air Mobility Command. He has been selected for promotion to brigadier general.