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72nd ABW vice commander set to retire after 25 years

  • Published
  • By Kimberly Woodruff
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  On Tuesday, Col. Stephen Wood, 72nd Air Base Wing vice commander, will retire after serving 25 years in the Air Force.

Colonel Wood said one of the toughest things he faced in his three years as vice commander was understanding the broad spectrum of missions happening at Tinker.

"The air base wing supports each of the missions and it is demanding to meet their different needs and make sure we prioritize the resources for them," he said.

Col. Christopher Azzano, 72nd Air Base Wing and Tinker installation commander, said Colonel Wood has been the perfect leader to guide Tinker AFB through a period of unique challenges.

"His action-oriented nature drives success across the installation with a tireless commitment to our mission partners," Colonel Azzano said. "He also cares a great deal about our Airmen, Sailors and their families, and it shows in the quality-of-life improvements he's championed during his time in the 72nd ABW."

The colonel said overall one of the biggest challenges has been the KC-46 beddown, which has been in the works the entire time he has been here.

"I can say it is on track for land acquisition and soon the half a billion dollar maintenance complex will be a reality," he said.

In addition to the KC-46 success, Colonel Wood said other highlights of his 25-year career include achieving the rank of colonel and being part of the transition of Cannon Air Force Base from an F-16 Fighter Wing to a Special Operations base supporting C-130s.
Colonel Wood is also very proud of Tinker's 5.2 percent reduction in energy usage, which saved the base $3 million in fiscal FY13 compared to FY12. When I was at the Pentagon working Facility energy concerns, I often thought of the energy reduction opportunities at a Depot. Ultimately, I was selected for assignment to Tinker and I was able to build a team that successfully implemented a multitude of initiates that are supporting AFSC cost effective readiness goals.

Colonel Wood and his wife, Lisa, will stay in the local area while he looks for another job. Their daughter, CiCi, is a junior at Carl Albert High School and son, Hunter, is a freshman at Harding Charter Prep. Their oldest daughter, Rachael, is a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania.

"I have a very supportive family," said Colonel Wood. "CiCi and Hunter have agreed to move wherever the job takes us."

That job search is currently focused on the East Coast. Colonel Wood has a dream of working in higher education, managing facilities. He's applied at schools like Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, Marshall University and the Ohio University, and he said interviews have been going well.

In the meantime, Colonel Wood said he'll probably spend some time fishing in the Oklahoma lakes and golfing while looking for his dream job.

"It's been a great 25 years," the colonel said. "I'm very proud of what I've been able to do -- be a part of the best Air Force in the world and support my country. It's been fantastic to do it while raising a family. We took advantage of the opportunity to do and see things we never would have with a standard job.

"I've had a lot of great assignments, and what made it great was the people I've met and worked with, sometimes forging lifelong friendships. That's what I'll miss," he said.
Colonel Wood will be missed by his colleagues as well.

Bob Sandlin, 72nd ABW director of Staff, said it has been a pleasure working with Colonel Wood over the last three years.

"He has been well-respected across the installation and his civil engineering background paid huge dividends for the wing and the installation as he has led the way through our energy conservation and KC-46 beddown efforts," Mr. Sandlin said.

"Personally, I will miss Colonel Wood and wish him and his family the best of luck as they transition to the civilian sector and I'm sure he will be just as successful in his next career as he was during his outstanding 25-year military career."

Colonel Azzano agreed.

"We are sorry to see him go and will celebrate his achievements long after he retires from active duty," Colonel Azzano said. "Years from now when the KC-46 depot is producing next-generation airpower for our nation, we will have Colonel Wood to thank in part for America's unmatched global reach. Jennifer and I wish him, Lisa, and the kids the very best as they move on to their next adventure."

To members of the 72nd ABW, Colonel Wood said, "You are the hardest working group of people I know, largely unappreciated for your efforts. Thanks for allowing me to be a teammate to your success."