377th Air Base Wing Gains New Commander

  • Published
  • By Marie Vanover
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Kirtland Air Force Base, NM --  In a April 16 change-of-command ceremony filled with history and tradition, Col. Robert L. Maness took command of the 377th Air Base Wing. The presiding official was Brig. Gen. Everett H. Thomas, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center commander.

About 200 people, including commanders and personnel from across Team Kirtland, family members, community leaders, and friends attended the ceremony.

"We are witnessing an event that ensures our nation is under outstanding leadership to take care of our most precious resources -- the men and women who defend our nation," said General Thomas in his remarks.

The general thanked Col. Michael Duvall, outgoing 377th ABW commander, for his leadership saying he epitomized the model of an air base wing commander and nurtured a climate and culture that produced outstanding results.

Col. Duvall, who retired in a ceremony later the same day, thanked the men and women of the 377th ABW and cited examples of the many accomplishments the wing has achieved in the past two years.

"Commanding the 377th ABW has been a daunting task, but one made possible because of the men and women standing here in formation," he said.

Col. Maness acknowledged the special guests at the ceremony, including Acting New Mexico Governor Diane Denish. He singled out non-commissioned officers who had served as his mentors and gave him a foundation to build on. Of special note, he made mention of the "first NCO of my life--my dad -- Master Sgt Billy Maness."

Addressing the men and women of the 377th ABW, Col. Maness said, "As your commander, I will serve you and your family as we walk as a team to accomplish our mission -- a mission we must accomplish with one hundred percent effectiveness 24/7."

Col. Maness received his commission through Officers Training School in 1986. His command experiences include the flight, squadron, group and wing levels. His staff tours include the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Air Force Global Strike Command Headquarters. A master navigator with more than 3,400 flight hours, he has led numerous combat flying operations, including Operations Just Cause and Desert Story as an aircrew member, and as a bomber squadron commander in Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Explosive Ordinance School, Air Command and Staff College and Naval War College and Command College, Newport, R.I. Before his arrival at Kirtland, he served as the Deputy Director for Plans and Programming at Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale AFB, La.