TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Wildcatters of the 72nd Air Base Wing welcomed a new commander on June 25, 2021.
Col. G. Hall Sebren, Jr. accepted command of the wing from Air Force Sustainment Center Commander Lt. Gen. Gene Kirkland during a ceremony at the Tinker Event Center.
Sebren, who succeeds Col. Paul Filcek, is no stranger to the AFSC. He was previously the vice commander of the Ogden Air Logistics Complex at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.
While Sebren is “humbled and honored to lead the Wildcatter team,” he said he is also looking forward to working with the base’s mission partners including the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, 552nd Air Control Wing, 507th Air Refueling Wing, and the Navy’s Strategic Communications Wing ONE.
“I’ve heard about the great partnership and I look forward to learning your world so I can help you,” he said.
Kirkland said Sebren’s record of demonstrated performance leaves no doubt he is ready to lead the Wildcatter team.
“We look forward to watching the wing and Team Tinker thrive under your leadership,” he said.
Kirkland praised Filcek for leading the wing through challenging times that included a crisis in base housing and a global pandemic.
“Paul, you have left Tinker well-positioned for the future,” Kirkland said. “As the person who hired you two years ago I take special pride in the success of your team. Thank you for your leadership and everything you’ve done, both big and small, for your Tinker teammates. Well done.”
Filcek, who is leaving Tinker to become the deputy commander of the Air Force District of Washington, had parting words for the team he’s lead for the last two years.
“Thanks to every single Wildcatter for being defenders of our nation, whatever you do, and doing it better than anybody I’ve ever seen and not settling for excellence but striving to make history.”