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AFRCC changes command, reflects on legacy of outgoing commander

  • Published
  • By Angela Pope
  • AFNORTH Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center received a new commander during a change of command ceremony at the Heritage Club June 15.

After two years as the AFRCC commander, Lt. Col. Chuck Tomko passed the reins to Lt. Col. Bob Russell, who had been serving as the AFRCC director of operations.

"There are more than 700 people out there walking around alive because of Chuck and his dedicated staff of rescue controllers," said Col. Randy Spear, 601st Air and Space Operations Center commander. "I credit that to his ability to think fast and think ahead through all the steps in any given situation."

During Colonel Tomko's command, AFRCC is credited with participation in more than 2,500 civil search and rescue missions and 732 saved lives.

"That's averages out to one life saved every single day of Chuck's command," Colonel Spear said.

Colonel Tomko feels his background as a rescue pilot flying the HC-130 King prepared him for a command position in the rescue coordination center.

"Rescue pilots are fully versed in rescue operations, have combat rescue time with continuous deployments around the globe, and our formal training makes us ready to join the AFRCC team," he said.

When Colonel Tomko first received his assignment to lead the AFRCC, he was "ecstatic."

"Being offered a command is a very great honor, and I did not take that lightly," he said. "I worked with AFRCC before while assigned to the Air Staff and also as a rescue pilot. In those roles, I received requests for rescue support. I was excited to come to AFRCC and have the opportunity to be on the originating side of those requests."

The colonel immediately set personal and professional goals for his command.

"My number one goal personally was to learn everything I could about the people, mission and the other agencies that work with the AFRCC so I could be in a position to best support the operations and take care of the Airmen who do the job every day," Colonel Tomko said. "For the AFRCC, my goal was to streamline operations, improve efficiency, reduce unnecessary workload and look for methods that would enable AFRCC to support rescue operations where needed."

Throughout his time with AFRCC, the colonel oversaw the execution of missions ranging from lost hikers to stranded motorists to defense support of civil authorities during national disasters. Of all the incidents he witnessed, one stands out as the most challenging.

"The earthquake in Haiti was a true challenge for AFRCC, but it was also an enormous success," Colonel Tomko said. "Within hours of the quake, we were on the phone with numerous agencies pulling together data and gaining situational awareness. Within a day, we had set up an operational Joint Personnel Recovery Center and were mirroring the operations of U.S. Southern Command. Watching the AOC go into surge mode in hours was amazing.

"But the speed of operations that brought precision capabilities to the right place at the right time was immensely successful. It was a terrible event, and the loss of life was staggering to comprehend. In the end, everyone pulled together to help in every way possible, and it was an awesome sight to see."

Like any successful commander, Colonel Tomko realizes that the success of AFRCC under his command was the direct result of the work from his entire team.

"I directly attribute our successes to the dedicated Airmen who live the mission and carry on a truly unique and distinct heritage," he said. "The relationships that are made and kept, the professionalism in every phone call and request, and the ability to be flexible on any scenario and pull in every capability they can to meet the need is truly astounding."

As he prepares for his next assignment, the colonel is reluctant to leave certain things behind.

"I will miss the day-to-day interaction with the men and women of AFRCC," he said. "I frequently visited the floor to watch my staff coordinate missions. The professionalism and dedication with which they worked and the manner in which they nurtured our partnership with our supporting agencies made me proud. AFRCC has some truly great people, and I will miss them all."

Leading AFRCC has provided Colonel Tomko with valuable lessons to learn from as he moves forward in his career as a commander.

"When it comes to taking care of our people, you can never learn enough or do enough," he said. "They are the treasure of the nation's defense, and there is no point at which you can say you are complete or you've hit the maximum in what you can do for them. In some missions you can call mission complete, but in taking care of your people, you never stop trying."

The special operations pilot created a legacy for himself during his tenure as the AFRCC commander. He stood up many new capabilities, streamlined many processes and ensured his Airmen had the tools necessary to effectively rescue those in danger.

"Chuck has had a great two years here," said Maj. Gen. Garry C. Dean, First Air Force commander. "Every time his AFRCC saved a life out there, it brought joy to the entire command. I wish him Godspeed as he moves forward."

Colonel Tomko is moving on to serve as the deputy group commander of the 347th Rescue Group at Moody Air Force Base, Ga.