618th TACC welcomes a new commander

by 1st Lt. Nicole White
618th Tanker Airlift Control Center Public Affairs

6/28/2013 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Maj. Gen. Timothy Zadalis succeeded Maj. Gen. David Allvin as commander, 618th Air and Space Operations Center (Tanker Airlift Control Center), in a change of command ceremony held here today.

Zadalis comes to the 618th AOC (TACC) after serving as the Director of Intelligence, Operations and Nuclear Integration, Headquarters Air Education and Training Command, Joint Base San Antonio Randolph, Texas.

In that assignment, he was responsible for developing policies and programming resources for Air Force technical and aircrew training programs. This included undergraduate flying and initial skills training for Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Reserve and National Guard personnel, Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training, enlisted accessions, initial training and non-rated supplemental training.

The new commander expressed enthusiasm for his new assignment and credited the hard work of TACC operators making global reach a reality for the world's greatest Air Force.

"My family and I are excited about being here and the mission we are now a part of. It is a pleasure for me to back at Air Mobility Command after four years and it is an honor for me to join the team at TACC. "

Allvin took command as the 16th commander of TACC in April 2012 after arriving to Scott in August 2011 as the 618th AOC (TACC) vice commander.

He will be moving on to become the Director, Strategic Planning, Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. His new responsibilities will include directing the development and implementation of Air Force long-range strategic planning, as well as providing associated policy guidance.

"All of the members of TACC are truly remarkable," said Allvin. "Over the past years, I have seen them answer the call of millions around the world providing aid, cargo and millions of pounds of fuel. I am sincerely proud of this organization, and I am blessed to have been given the opportunity to command such an exceptional team."

The change of command took place at a crowded Scott Club, where 618th AOC (TACC) members welcomed Zadalis as their new commander, and, after reflecting on his time with the unit, said goodbye to Allvin and his family. Lt. Gen. Darren McDew, 18th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony.

"Command is an honor, a privilege and a sacred trust that few experience. It demands leaders of great commitment and character," said McDew. "Before you are two leaders whose characters have been tested with great responsibility. Those tests revealed an enduring commitment to airmen and to the mission and to our core values of integrity, service, and excellence. That same commitment and character is reflected in the men and women of this amazing organization."

The 618th AOC (TACC), at Scott Air Force Base, is the 18th Air Force's hub for planning, allocating and executing airlift, air refueling, and aeromedical evacuation operations around the world. Employing a fleet of nearly 1,300 aircraft, the 618th AOC (TACC) is heavily engaged in ensuring the swift and reliable deployment, re-deployment, and sustainment of U.S. and coalition forces overseas.