Outgoing commander's farewell Published July 22, 2008 By Brandice Armstrong Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- After four years at Tinker, Col. Mark Correll is heading south, across the Red River. His next assignment is at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. The 72nd Air Base Wing and installation commander said he enjoyed his time at Tinker, and he learned valuable lessons during his tenure. "It has been my very great privilege to serve with all the exceptional Airmen of Team Tinker, but especially the Wildcatters of the 72nd Air Base Wing," said Colonel Correll. "Some books talk about the 'burden of command,' but I thank those who have done such great work here for making my time really the 'joy of command.'" Colonel Correll's tenure began when he served as 72nd ABW vice commander in July 2004. In July 2006, he moved into the commander position and began introducing new practices and customs. Among those new customs was the establishment of the "wildcatter" moniker for the air base wing. "I believe it will endure, and I believe the wildcatter qualities of innovation, courage, fearlessness, and perseverance will help vector the wing," Colonel Correll said. Colonel Correll also put an emphasis on improving family readiness programs. In the past two years, the air base wing introduced a key spouse program, which provides open communication between spouses and an Airman's squadron leadership. Colonel Correll said at Tinker, spouses from all major units are involved and members meet monthly. Other family readiness additions include a casualty DVD, Tinker's Heart Link program, which help spouses of Airmen adjust to the military environment, and most recently, a separate parent-child workout area at Gerrity Fitness Center. While his improvements are notable, Colonel Correll said being a commander at a large installation entails much more. "Easily the toughest challenge for the air base wing commander is to try to balance the needs of the many different organizations on base," the colonel said. "The [Oklahoma City] Air Logistics Center and each of our major associates have important missions with specific goals and needs." Despite the challenge, he pulled it off with ease, said 72nd ABW Command Chief Master Sgt. Eric Harmon. "This base is very dynamic and requires a certain leader to understand the nuisances and how to be effective in taking care of the installation infrastructure and all within, with limited resources," the chief said. "Colonel Correll's brilliance, depth of knowledge, and ability to handle the challenges of Tinker's unique environment is simply incredible." Colonel Correll said he tried to meet much of the challenge by recognizing the warfighter is not just a person in uniform. Warfighters also include civilians and contractors. "A warfighter is also the civilian who contracts for key services and equipment, or rebuilds aircraft and engines, or provides logistics support," Colonel Correll said. "A warfighter is also a contractor who keeps the vehicle fleet running, takes care of transient aircraft, maintains the facilities, protects the gates or photo documents our events. Our ability to provide defense rests with all three of these groups and without any one of them, we are in jeopardy." Before Colonel Correll leaves Tinker, he offered one piece of advice to Airmen: take advantage of the opportunities within the Air Force and participate in unit events. "When you leave the Air Force, either at the end of your enlistment, service or in retirement, you will not look back and say, 'I loved being a mechanic, personnel officer, medic, etc,'" said Colonel Correll. "You will look back and say, 'I loved my time in the Air Force.' "The Air Force is more than a place of employment; it is a lifestyle and a heritage," the colonel said. "Don't waste the opportunity to become involved in that heritage." At Randolph AFB, Colonel Correll will become the next major command civil engineer for the Air Education and Training Command. The 72nd ABW and installation commander change of command ceremony will be held at 9 a.m., July 18 at the Tinker Club.