Reins of command change hands

  • Published
  • By Jeffery Melvin
  • 908th Airlift Wing
MAXWELL AFB, Ala. --  Col. Michael J. Underkofler assumed command of the 908th Airlift Wing from Col. Heath J. Nuckolls during a ceremony Saturday, Jan. 7.

Colonel Underkofler’s move to Maxwell may spark a sense of deja vue for him as well as many of the wing’s more seasoned military and civilian personnel since he’s definitely been here before, having served as director of operations and commander of the 908th’s 357th Airlift Squadron from July 1998 to July 2002.

He returns to the familiar confines of Maxwell on the heels the heels of commanding Kessler AFB, Miss.’s 403d Operations Group. The 403d Operations Group comprises the 403d Operations Support Flight, the 815th Airlift Squadron, the Flying Jennies, and the 53d Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, the Hurricane Hunters. These units fly the C-130J, WC-130J, and the WC-130H aircraft and are responsible for tactical airlift, airdrop, aeromedical evacuation, and global weather reconnaissance.

A command pilot with more than 5,000 flying hours, Colonel Underkofler has flown global airlift missions including combat and combat support missions in Panama, Southwest Asia, Haiti and the Balkans. Additionally, he has flown several tropical storm and hurricane penetration missions in the WC-130H/J and was a pilot on the first crew to circumnavigate the globe in a C-130J.

Colonel Underkofler received his commissioned in 1984 through AFROTC at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

He served eight years on active duty before joining the Air Force Reserve in 1992. After his departure from active duty service, Colonel Underkofler started his air reserve technician career at Willow Grove Air Reserve Station, Pa., as an instructor pilot, evaluator pilot, and chief of training for the 327th Airlift Squadron. He then served as the executive officer to the commander, 913th Airlift Wing and was selected for the AFRC Job Enrichment Program, completing a rotational assignment in the 913th Logistics Group after graduating from the USAF Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course. He then served as chief of standardization/evaluation for the 327AS before heading to Maxwell in July 1998.

Colonel Underkofler is married to retired USAF Nurse Corps Lt. Col. Denise Proctor; they have two sons.

Departing commander Col. Heath J. Nuckolls will also return to familiar surroundings, as leaves the 908th AW to command the 94th AW at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., where less than two years ago he commanded the 94th Operations Group. He will replace Brig. Gen. Thomas M. Stogsdill who will retire from the Air Force Reserve.