Robins NCO Academy prepares to close Published May 9, 2008 ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) -- The Robins Air Force Base Noncommissioned Officers Academy officially closes May 20, one of several academies that have closed or are closing soon. The school started decreasing its staff a few months ago when the staff learned about the pending inactivation, said Chief Master Sgt. Roy Lapioli, the commandant of the Robins academy. In addition to the Robins AFB NCOA's inactivation, other academies have also closed or are closing, including those at McGuire AFB, N.J., which closed last year; Goodfellow AFB, Texas, which will close May 28; and Kirtland AFB, N.M., which will close in 2009. Chief Lapioli said continental NCO academies that will remain open at Peterson AFB, Colo., Tyndall AFB, Fla., Gunter Annex, Ala., Lackland AFB, Texas, and McGhee-Tyson Air National Guard Base in Alcoa, Tenn. In addition, four overseas NCO academies will remain open at locations in Japan, Alaska, Hawaii and Germany. The NCO Academy is professional military education targeted to technical sergeants. All technical sergeants must complete the six-week course before becoming senior NCOs. More than 220 academic hours focus on leadership, communications, and the profession of arms -- among many other subjects. (Courtesy of Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs) Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) View the comments/letters page