New ACC commander to visit base Published Jan. 19, 2012 By Brandice J. O'Brien Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The 552nd Air Control Wing will soon welcome a familiar face. Former commander Gen. Gilmary Michael Hostage III will visit his old stomping grounds Jan. 26 for the first time since becoming commander of Air Combat Command in September. During the morale visit, the general will meet Airmen, discuss wing issues with senior leadership and tour the facilities. The general is no stranger to Oklahoma. In addition to leading wing as a brigadier general from August 2002 to March 2004, General Hostage was stationed at Vance Air Force Base in Enid. In February 1978, as a second lieutenant, he studied and later became a T-38 Talon instructor pilot. In his 34-year career, General Hostage has more than 4,000 flying hours and has logged more than 600 combat hours in Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Prior to becoming the ACC commander, the general served as the commander of U.S. Air Forces Central Command in Southwest Asia.