78th ABW welcomes new vice commander Published April 2, 2010 By 78th Air Base Wing ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The 78th Air Base Wing welcomes Col. David Southerland as its new vice commander. Southerland entered the Air Force in 1981 as an enlisted member and was commissioned through officer training school in 1986. Southerland previously served as director of manpower and personnel at the Air Force Academy. Prior to that assignment, he served in the Pentagon as chief of the Joint Manpower Resources Branch and deputy chief of the Joint Manpower Division of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As vice commander of the 78th ABW, he will train and deploy more than 6,500 Airmen in support of Air Expeditionary Force requirements, and provide facilities and equipment support for 36 hosted units, including a major command headquarters and six wings.