Commander retires at the "top of his profession" Published Nov. 4, 2013 By Lt Col James R. Wilson 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- The 94th Airlift Wing's commander for the past three years retired in a ceremony here Oct. 31, after more than 35 years of service to the military. Col. Tim Tarchick told a group of 400 people in attendance including friends, family members and subordinates from the unit he has led since arriving in May 2010 he leaves the Air Force with tremendous sense of gratitude. "It's bittersweet," said Tarchick. "For the last 12 years, I have been a wing commander. It's what I do. I'll certainly miss it." Tarchick said joined the military more than three decades ago eager to be a part of what he viewed as one of the nation's most noble professions. Now at the twilight of his career, he reflected on the legacy he will leave behind. "I'd like people to know I tried to do the right thing no matter what," he said. "I tried my best to take care of the people I was entrusted to lead and treat people with humility, love and respect. I gave it everything I had, left nothing on the field, worked hard every day and tried to improve and make whatever unit I was in better [than it was when I got there]." Maj. Gen. James Bankers, who presided over the retirement ceremony, presented Tarchick with the Legion of Merit award for his contributions as 94th AW commander, retired him from service and shared his thoughts on the impact of the colonel's career personally and professionally. "Tim truly is at the top of his profession," said Bankers. "People who have worked with him know he is a man of great integrity and someone who has great respect for those under his command," Bankers said. "You can't follow someone who doesn't know where they're going. Tim has strong values and that helped him a great deal whenever he faced difficult decisions as a commander." A number of elected officials and their staff were also in attendance, a testament to Tarchick's outreach and commitment to maintaining strong relationships with Georgia's Congressional Delegation. Rep. Tom Price said the unit prospered under the colonel's leadership. "Colonel, our nation owes you a huge debt of gratitude," said Price. We are as a nation and as a people safer and more secure because of your 35 years of service. We can never repay that." Price said he was glad Tarchick plans to stay in the area. "Wherever your next spot is and wherever you land, I know you will continue your wonderful service to our community and our great nation," he added. "We thank you very, very much." The Warren, Ohio, native enlisted in the Air Force Reserve in 1978 as a medical technician and later became a crewmember on the C-130 Hercules aircraft. He earned his navigator wings at Mather Air Force Base, Calif., in Sept. 1985. Tarchick is a master navigator with more than 6,000 flying hours in airlift, air refueling and combat search and rescue aircraft. In Aug. 2005, he led the first Air Force rescue assets to respond to hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the gulf coast where his crews safely evacuated more than 1,049 people. "Some of my proudest moments were seeing our C-130s bringing our Airmen home from their deployment to the Middle East last year. We've had people deployed 24/7, 365 days a year since I've been here, and we always complete our missions with honor." Tarchick added the chance to serve as the commander at Dobbins has been an extremely rewarding experience and fitting end to his Air Force career. "Not everyone gets the opportunity to command," he said. "Our Airmen give up a lot to serve. This is something bigger than any one person. It's been an honor and privilege to serve as the commander here at Dobbins."
