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John Nichols, center, Military Affairs Council vice president, welcomes U.S. Air Force Col. Robert, “Ripper” Sturgill Jr., left, 7th Bomb Wing and installation commander, and Col. Christopher Welch, 317th Airlift Wing commander, to Abilene during a MAC 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)