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Dyess Air Force Base

U.S. Air Force Col. Robert “Ripper” Sturgill Jr., 7th Bomb Wing and installation commander, shares his mission, vision and priorities with Airmen at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, July 31, 2026. As commander, Sturgill is responsible for providing mission-ready B-1B Lancers, aircrew, combat support and Airmen for global taskings. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Layla Desch)

Col. Robert “Ripper” Sturgill holds first commander’s call
U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Ty Neuman, Eighth Air Force and Joint-Global Strike Operations Center commander, center, sits alongside Col. Christopher Welch, left, 317th Airlift Wing commander, and Col. Robert “Ripper” Sturgill Jr., 7th Bomb Wing and installation commander, during a Military Affairs Council luncheon in Abilene, Texas, July 30, 2026. Both Sturgill and Welch were introduced to civic leaders across Abilene as the newest commanders of the two wings that execute the “lift and strike” mission at Dyess Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jade M. Caldwell)

Maj. Gen. Ty Neuman meets Abilene leaders at MAC luncheon
People talk outside on the flightline.

U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould visits Dyess AFB to strengthen strategic partnership
Members of the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps and Royal Australian Air Force perform critical testing on a Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile[SS1.1] during the Death Strike: Trident Fury exercise at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, June 24, 2026. The joint munitions training focused on testing and proving agile combat deployment strategies in rugged, remote locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class William Neal)

Allies unite for Exercise Death Strike: Trident Fury
U.S. Air Force Col. Christopher Welch, incoming 317th Airlift Wing commander, delivers his first salute to the wing during a change of command ceremony at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, July 8, 2026. Welch is a senior pilot with over 3,300 flight hours in the KC-10A Extender and C-130J Super Hercules, including 1,300 combat hours across multiple operations. As the 317th AW commander, Welch will lead the world's largest fleet of C-130J, projecting rapid, tactical global mobility in contested environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jade M. Caldwell)

317th Airlift Wing welcomes new commander
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Brian Castillo, 317th Airlift Wing command chief, gives his first remarks during a change of responsibilities ceremony at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, June 12, 2026. During the ceremony the responsibilities of senior enlisted leader for the 317th AW changed from Chief Master Sgt. Martin Castillo to Brian Castillo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jade M. Caldwell)

317th Airlift Wing changes responsibility between senior enlisted chief master sergeant