Passing the torch

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Elizabeth Van Patten
  • 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. --  As the wing chief of safety and flight safety manager, Lt. Col. Walther Koelln's job was to manage the three basic safety disciplines: ground, weapons and flight safety for Dobbins Air Reserve Base.

After 33 years of service to the U.S. Air Force, Koelln retired in June.

Transitioning in as the new chief of safety is Lt. Col. George Pelech, former 94th Operations Support Squadron director of operations.

"I recommended Pelech to Col. Tim Tarchick, 94th Airlift Wing commander, to replace me as chief of safety," said Koelln. "I've known him a long time. He has all the necessary tools needed to do a great job. He's well-spoken, and will have no trouble getting the safety message out."

"Walt is very organized, almost to a fault," said Pelech. "I am taking his program and building on it."

The safety program was one of many items inspected during the recent wing-wide compliance inspection. While the inspection yielded an overall good result, minor issues documented will give Pelech immediate direction.

"This position encompasses a lot, so I created a continuity book and Pelech has been studying it," said Koelln. "As an office, we have streamlined our processes and tracking mechanisms. This should help him ease into the position. We had a month of overlap prior to my retirement, and I've shared some of the most important aspects of the position with him."

"My goal is to bring personal safety, both on and off base, to the front line," said Pelech. "Safety should be a position that everyone can take to reduce the risks they take in their own lives and avoid things like hospital stays."

"I leave him with a strong program, especially flight safety his primary focus," said Koelln. Pelech will make the program his own, and bring his wealth of experience, knowledge, and skills to his new position and without doubt, make it better. I wish him, the safety team, and everyone at Dobbins many, many blessings, and thank you for your support in making Dobbins a very safe environment while professionally accomplishing the mission."