377th Air Base Wing gains new commander

Published Dec. 23, 2011
By 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Kirtland Air Force Base, NM -- Despite freezing temperatures and a blanket of sleet and snow, about 250 people attended the 377th Air Base Wing Assumption of Command ceremony to witness Col. John C. Kubinec assuming command Dec. 19. Brig. Gen. Garrett Harencak, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center commander, presided at the ceremony.

"We are fortunate today to welcome Col. John Kubinec as the new commander of the 377 ABW," Harencak said. "He brings almost two decades of outstanding leadership to this job and no one is better prepared to lead this wing into the future."

The general also described the colonel as being "as close to a 'rock star' as we have in the Air Force."

Before the ceremony, Kubinec spoke with local media and described this as a "dream come true - to be wing commander at one of the Air Force's crown jewels, Kirtland AFB."

During his remarks, Kubinec thanked a host of dignitaries at the ceremony that included former AFMC commander General Bruce Carlson, various state cabinet secretaries, Kirtland Partnership Committee members, and others in attendance.

"To say I am humbled would be a great understatement. I promise to lead as my parents taught me - with my head, with my heart and always with humility. Together, we will make it happen, make it better and make it last."

Kubinec, a career aircraft maintenance and munitions officer, graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1992.