Commanders keep 'eyes in the sky'

  • Published
  • By History Office
  • 552nd Air Control Wing
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AFPN) --  The 32 commanders of the 552nd Air Control Wing and its predessors have led Airmen to be the watchful eyes in the sky for more than 50 years.  From flying the EC-121 Constellation to today's E-3 Sentry, wing commanders have adapted the mission of the wing to grow and change.

Commanders for the 552nd Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing
Col. Leeman J. Hipson,  July 8, 1955 - Dec. 1955
Col. Richard W. DaVania,  Dec. 1955 - Dec. 1956
Col. Septime S. Richard Jr.,  Dec 1956 - Oct. 18, 1957
Col. Charles R. Heffner,  Oct. 18, 1957 - May 28, 1959
Col. Charles F. Kneirim,  May 28, 1959 - Oct. 17, 1960
Col. Robert J. Loughry, Oct. 17, 1960 - Oct. 18, 1963
Col. James P. Lyle,  Oct. 18, 1963 - Aug. 28, 1964
Col. Wright J. Sheppard,  Aug. 28, 1964 - Feb. 2, 1966
Col. William R, Nevitt,  Feb. 1, 1966 - May 31, 1968
Col. Olin E. Gilbert,  May 31, 1968 - Nov. 1, 1969
Col. Henry L. Timmermans,  Nov. 1, 1969 - April 28, 1972
Col. Robert P. Halpenn,   April 28, 1972 - July 26, 1974
Col. Harold P. Knutty,  July 26, 1974 - June 27, 1975
Col. Frances B. Henkel,  June 27, 1975 - July 1, 1976

Commanders for 552nd Air Control Wing
Maj. Gen. John L. Piotrowski,  July 1, 1976 - Aug. 29, 1979
Brig. Gen. Neil L. Eddins, Aug. 29, 1979 - July 20, 1981
Col Jerry D. Holmes,  July 20, 1981 - Sept. 16, 1982
Brig. Gen. William K. James,  Sept. 16, 1982 - March 1, 1985
Col. James R. Sterk,  March 1, 1985 - July 16, 1988
Col. Wylie J. Koiner,  July 16, 1988 - May 17, 1990
Col. Gary A. Voellger,  May 17, 1990 - May 29, 1992
Brig. Gen. William J. Ball,  May 29, 1992 - Aug. 10, 1992
Brig. Gen. David Oaks,  Aug. 10, 1992 - June 27, 1994
Brig. Gen. Silas R. Johnson Jr.,  June 27, 1994 - Sept. 6, 1996
Brig. Gen. Robert T. Newell III,  Sept. 6, 1996 - Oct. 24, 1996
Col. John M. Howell,  Oct. 24, 1996 - Nov. 26, 1996
Brig. Gen. James W. Morehouse,  Nov. 26, 1996 - Aug. 7, 1998
Brig. Gen. Maurice L. McFann Jr.,  Aug. 7, 1998 - March 15, 2000
Brig. Gen. Ben T. Robinson,  March 15, 2000 - Aug. 29, 2002
Brig. Gen. Gilmary M. Hostage III,  Aug. 29, 2002 - March 2, 2004
Brig. Gen. Joseph F. Mudd Jr.,  March 2, 2004 - Nov. 9, 2005
Brig. Gen. James M. Kowalski,  Nov. 9, 2005 - present