Dobbins receives new wing commander

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Angelita Colón-Francia
  • Public Affairs

Brig. Gen. Thomas M. Stogsdill transferred command of the 94th Airlift Wing to Col. Heath J. Nuckolls last month at Dobbins, a final act to cap off 36 years of service as an Air Force leader and master navigator. 

General Stogsdill has commanded the wing, which is comprised of approximately 1,800 personnel, since August 2004. 

The 94th AW’s mission is three-fold. The primary mission is to train C-130H aircrews for the United States Air Force – active duty, guard and reserve components. The second mission is to maintain combat ready units to deploy on short notice to support contingencies anywhere in the world. Finally, the wing is the host organization for supporting all agencies and tenants at Dobbins Air Reserve Base. 

The purpose of the change of command ceremony is to provide the outgoing commander an opportunity to bid farewell to the men and women of his command and for the command, in turn, to welcome the incoming commander. It emphasizes the continuity of leadership and the unit identity despite changes of authority. The transfer of command is physically presented by passing the command flag, the tangible symbol of the unit, from the outgoing commander to the new. 

The ceremony was presided over by Maj. Gen. James D. Bankers, 22nd Air Force commander. Distinguished guests and family members included General Stogsdill’s wife, Jan, and daughters, Emma and Sarah; Nuckolls’ wife, Julie, daughter, Beth, son, Andrew, and mother, Barbara; Nuckolls’ brother Lee Nuckolls, his wife, Lisa, and their son, Clint; Nuckolls’ mother-in-law Kathleen Davis, Nuckolls’ sister-in-law Janet Carver and family, Nuckolls’ brother-in-law Johnathan Davis and family; Lt. Gen. (retired) James Sherrard and his wife, Marsha; Maj. Gen. (retired) Robert Stephens and his wife, Kathy; Capt. Richard Cline, commander of Naval Air Station-Atlanta; and members of the “Dirty Thirty” crew Tom Spangler and his wife, Jerri; Ed Dedmon and his wife, Joan; Debra Tanzi; World War II veteran James Hogue and his wife, Marion; Garry Henning and his wife, Tammy; Mr. and Mrs. Randy Gibson; and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Nutter. 

To the men and women of the 94th AW, Colonel Nuckolls said, “I know General Stogsdill is handing over to me an excellent unit. I’m excited to be here and excited to work with you.”

Incoming commander Nuckolls is no stranger to the 94th Airlift Wing. He returns to Dobbins Air Reserve Base after commanding the 908th Airlift Wing, Alabama’s only Air Force Reserve unit, which is located at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala. At the 908th AW, Nuckolls commanded more than 1,200 personnel who fly, load and control nine C-130 aircraft.

Prior to leading the 908th, Nuckolls commanded the 94th Operations Group, a post he held for slightly more than two years. 

Nuckolls has held several supervisory and command positions throughout his career, including serving in the positions of airlift operations officer at Headquarters, 10th Air Force; and tactical airlift operations manager and chief of Standards and Evaluations at Headquarters, 22nd Air Force. 

He is a command pilot with over 3,800 hours in many variants of the C-130. He served more than seven years on active duty before joining the Air Force Reserves in 1990. After his departure from active duty service, Nuckolls started his air reserve technician (ART) career with the 403rd Airlift Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., as C-130 instructor pilot, flight examiner, and squadron tactics officer. 

Nuckolls earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Texas Tech University in Lubbock in 1982. He received his commission as a second lieutenant as a distinguished graduate of the university’s Air Force ROTC program the same year.
Immediately following the change of command portion of the ceremony, Bankers presented Stogsdill with the Legion of Merit award, with a second oak leaf cluster, for “exceptionally meritorious conduct” and a Certificate of Retirement. 

During his command, General Stogsdill oversaw the safe training of C-130 aircrew members who supported both Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom; streamlined and developed programs which directly resulted in an “excellent” rating during the Air Mobility Command’s Health Services Inspection; led one of the most effective community outreach programs in the Air Force Reserve Command; safely deployed 94th AW personnel to help fight the Global War on Terrorism; and led the Air Force contingent to the 61st anniversary commemoration of the D-Day invasion in Normandy, France. A letter from President George W. Bush to General Stogsdill thanked the former commander for his leadership and contributions to the nation and acknowledged his devotion to duty and spirit of sacrifice in keeping proud the traditions of military service. 

Wife, Jan, was presented with flowers as well as a certificate of appreciation for the unselfish, faithful and devoted support she provided her husband.
Addressing wing personnel, distinguished guests, family and friends assembled inside the Fuel Cell Hanger, General Stogsdill reflected on his long career and gave many thanks. 

“I’ve been really blessed in my assignments,” the general said. I’ve been twice blessed to be here at Dobbins. I am proud of my time here. It’s been a great run. I can’t think of a better place to finish my career than at Dobbins. I’m happy to have been here.” Prior to his assignment as 94th AW commander, General Stogsdill led the 919th Special Operations Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The 919th SOW is the only Reserve special operations unit in the Air Force Special Operations Command. 

He was commissioned in 1969 through Officers Training School at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. He earned his navigator wings in 1970 at Mather Air Force Base, Calif. The general is a master navigator with more than 6,500 flying hours, including 450 combat hours flown during the Southeast Asia conflict on AC-130 Spectre Gunships. Following six years on active duty, he joined the Air Force Reserve in 1975. He was an air reserve technician, serving as both a U.S. civil service employee and member of the Air Force Reserve. 

Stogsdill and his family plan to relocate to Florida.