Former Kirtland AFB commander dies

Published Nov. 10, 2011
By Stefan Bocchino
377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. -- Retired Col. Charles G. Thomas, former 1606th Air Base Wing commander at Kirtland Air Force Base, died Nov. 2.

Thomas assumed command of the 1606 ABW at Kirtland AFB on June 3, 1985. He was the commander until July 22, 1988, when he retired from the Air Force.

During his tenure, Thomas led the wing to three Air Force installation excellence awards. He was also nominated for numerous awards and was Military Airlift Command's selection for the Equal Employment Opportunity award in the senior officer category.

"Charlie was an integral part of Kirtland AFB even after he retired from the Air Force," said Tom Berardinelli, 377 ABW Director of Staff. "He played an important part in the base community through his membership in the Kirtland Partnership Committee. He was instrumental in the effort to save Kirtland AFB during the 1995 Base Realignment and Closure discussions."

The KPC was formed in 1995 to lobby against the closure of Kirtland AFB.

"Charlie Thomas was a linchpin of the KPC," said John Garcia, KPC chairman. "As a former commander, he knew Kirtland AFB, he knew the Air Force, and he knew the military. He was a key part of the effort to save Kirtland AFB from downsizing in 1995, when he drafted many of the position papers which led to Kirtland AFB being taken off the list. Charlie and his wife Gina loved Albuquerque and New Mexico, and on a personal note I can tell you Charlie was the consummate officer and a gentleman."

Thomas was a 1961 graduate of the Air Force Academy, with degrees in aeronautical engineering and engineering sciences. He also received a master's degree in business administration from Auburn University in 1973. Thomas completed pilot training at Vance AFB, Okla., in 1962. He was a command pilot with more than 7,000 flying hours.

Once Thomas retired from the Air Force, he became a senior engineer at a University of New Mexico research institute. He was also the state General Services Secretary under New Mexico Governor Garrey Carruthers. Later, he became a department manager at Sandia National Laboratories.

Thomas was an active member of the Air Force Association, holding many different offices, including national director emeritus.

Thomas 71 at the time of his death leaves behind his wife of 46 years, Gina, and three grown children.