7th Bomb Wing welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. A.C. Eggman
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 7th Bomb Wing welcomed a new commander following a change of command ceremony July 11 at the 3-Bay Hangar here. 

Colonel Robert Gass replaced Colonel Timothy Ray, who is moving on to become the deputy director of the Air and Space Operations at Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, Va. 

"It is great to be back in Texas," said Colonel Gass. "And back with Team Dyess." Colonel Gass has been stationed at Dyess twice before during his 24-year career and served as the 9th Bomb Squadron commander from 2002-2004. 

Congratulating Colonel Ray on finishing a successful command tour, Colonel Gass said, "Your great finish is my great start." 

Colonel Gass said it is great to be back in Abilene and looks forward to continuing the great relationship between the Abilene community and the base. 

"The relationship between Abilene community and Dyess is rightly famous across the Air Force," said the colonel. "Patty and I are thrilled to rejoin and play an active role in that special partnership. The Gass family feels right at home in West Texas." 

Colonel Gass is joined by his wife Patricia, daughter Tessa and son Austin. 

The colonel also said he feels at home with the Air Mobility Command's 317th Airlift Group after having flown with C-130s and their aircrews recently while deployed in Southwest Asia, where he led B-1, RC-135, E-8, KC-135, C-130 and C-21 composite operations in and over Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa. 

"Coming back to this flightline is a double homecoming," said Colonel Gass. "I look forward to continuing that great Dyess partnership as well." 

The colonel spoke briefly about returning to the 7th Bomb Wing and its vital role in the Global War on Terrorism. 

"The wing's evolving training and war fighting mission are the center of operations for this war," said Colonel Gass. "No one delivers global power like Dyess. I'm proud to serve with the 7th Bomb Wing again. There's no other place I'd rather be than here with you." 

Colonel Gass received his commission through the AFROTC program at the University of Southern California in 1983. He began operational flying as a B-52 pilot in the Strategic Air Command. He also served as chief, Air Campaign Strategy, 8th Air Force and chief, Strategy Integration and Analysis Division, on the Joint Staff (J-5). 

The colonel has a Bachelor of Arts in political science, a Master of Arts in humanities, a Master of Military Arts and Science in theater operations, and a Master of Science in National Security Studies. He is also a distinguished graduate from the National War College.