News

78th ABW commander bids farewell to Robins

  • Published
  • By Kendahl Johnson
  • 78 ABW/PA
Robins Air Force Base, Ga. --  Robins will soon say goodbye to Col. Theresa Carter, who has been the commander of the 78th Air Base Wing since January 2006. Colonel Carter relinquishes command today in a change of command ceremony at 4 p.m. in the Century of Flight Hangar.

After two and a half years at Robins, first as vice commander then as commander, the colonel now heads to Headquarters Air Mobility Command at Scott AFB, Ill., to be the director for installations and mission support. The colonel is excited about the new opportunity, but will miss Robins and the relationships she's developed here.

"Robins has been a great assignment. In the job as installation commander, I've had the chance to meet some wonderful people, both on base and in the local community, and have made some great friendships, and I'm certainly not looking forward to leaving those behind," Colonel Carter said. "Of all the places I've been, the local community here is by far the most supportive of any I've had the pleasure of working with."

At Scott, Colonel Carter will be responsible for security forces, civil engineering and contracting within the command. She said although it will be a big job, she's excited about the chance to learn about a new command and work at the staff level.

"Any time you go to a new job with new responsibilities, you're always a little apprehensive about what is waiting behind the corner for you," Colonel Carter said. "At the staff level, you have an opportunity to influence policy and influence the direction of the Air Force."

She said working at the staff level is different in that you are a little removed from seeing that policy implemented. Being the installation commander and being directly involved with decision making and policy implementation provided her both unique challenges as well as very rewarding experiences.

"There are a lot of unique opportunities that go with the job of installation commander. You have a lot of positive opportunities to influence the lives of people. You are there with the young Airmen and you really see the chance to make a difference every day - to maybe clear a hurdle or remove an obstacle from someone who is trying to improve a workplace or get something done," she said.

Colonel Carter said she is proud of the improvements she has seen at Robins in her time as installation commander, such as improved quality of life, new or improved facilities, old facilities being renovated and new programs being started to help young Airmen. But she is particularly proud of the job Robins Airmen have done in supporting the global war on terror.

"I am very proud of the difference our Airmen have made in the deployed location," Colonel Carter said. "In the time I've been here, Airmen from (Robins) have earned at least 25 Bronze Star awards for their service. Knowing we've had a hand in training them and supporting them, and also supporting their families while they're gone, not only has made them better and made Robins better, but it's helped our Air Force and our nation. That is something to be proud of."

Those who have worked with the commander have been impressed with her dedication and service.

Colonel Warren Berry, vice commander of the 78th ABW, said ever since serving closely with Colonel Carter for six months in 1998 at Maxwell AFB, he knew she'd be a great senior leader in the Air Force.

"Her performance here was just remarkable," Colonel Berry said. "She did phenomenal things for the 25,000 people at Robins, and now she gets to use her talents to help the 125,000 Airmen assigned to Air Mobility Command. Lucky them."

Colonel Berry said anyone would be proud to claim her accomplishments while at Robins.

"Think of the massive improvements in operations and facilities, to include the largest military construction project in the command. Think of the increased readiness of our Airmen, to include our posture as the number two deployer in Air Force Materiel Command. And think of the inspection successes, from UCI to the Air Force's best health inspection score of the year for our Medical Group. No wonder Robins won the command's competition for the 2007 CINC's Award for Installation Excellence," he said.

Other coworkers agreed that she did a tremendous job.

"I am amazed by her leadership ability and how she displays commonsense in her decision making processes." said Capt. Kay Beigh, executive officer for Colonel Carter. "Although she may seem a little reserved initially, once you get to know her, you know she has a very warm heart and is very caring. It has been a pleasure to work for her."

Colonel Carter wishes to give a sincere thank you to all of Team Robins for the outstanding support she received, from the first time she stepped on base and the warm welcome she received up to now and the warm wishes she has been receiving as she prepares to depart.

"I am certainly going to take away some great memories, not only of the challenges that we've faced but of the great people I've had the pleasure of working with," she said.