Colonel Orr takes command of 66th Air Base Wing

  • Published
  • By Kevin Gilmartin
  • 66 ABW Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  Col. David L. Orr took command of the 66th Air Base Wing in a formal change of command ceremony on July 31 in front of a standing room only audience at the Hanscom Minuteman Club. 

He replaces Col. Tom Schluckebier, who retired after 26 years of Air Force service following the change of command. 

As commander of the 66th Air Base Wing, the colonel is responsible for the day to day operations of Hanscom, supporting the acquisition mission of Electronic Systems Center, as well as the Air Force Research Laboratory and MIT Lincoln Laboratory. 

"Today is an important day for the entire Hanscom Air Force Base community, as the 66th Air Base Wing transitions from one officer to another," said Electronic Systems Center Commander Lt. Gen. Ted Bowlds, who presided over the change of command and retirement ceremony. "We have to say goodbye to dear friends, but open arms to new ones." 

The general spoke of his pride in the 66 ABW and the important role it plays in the Center's success. 

"Without the 66th Air Base Wing, this acquisition center could simply not accomplish its vital mission," he said. 

General Bowlds offered a warm welcome to Colonel Orr, his wife, Lisa, and their three children. "We're excited to have you here as part of the Hanscom family," he said.
After accepting command, Colonel Orr thanked Colonel Schluckebier and his wife Donna for "leading this wing and leaving it in such great condition." 

A self described "very up guy," Colonel Orr said "I look forward to supporting the ESC mission and people with an unparalleled customer focus." 

The colonel thanked his wife and family for all the sacrifices they have made in supporting his career, and then told the audience that he and his family "bleed Air Force blue." He said both he and his wife "grew up as military brats," with several generations who have served their country in the Air Force and the military in every conflict from World War I to Operation Iraqi Freedom, with a combined military service totaling 130 years. 

"So you will find that I savor opportunities to engage our veterans and retirees, and seek to uphold and promote our Air Force heritage and pass on stories of character and courage from our Airmen, both past and present," Colonel Orr said. 

He said he and his family are ecstatic to be joining the 66th ABW, and stated his commitment to the mission of ESC and Hanscom. 

"The 66th Air Base Wing will secure, will support and will sustain the missions and people serving ESC and our sister service partners living in our community," he said. 

Colonel Orr, a command pilot with more than 4,500 hours in the F-16 and other aircraft, comes to Hanscom from Keesler AFB, Miss., where he was vice commander of Second Air Force, the organization that oversees all operational aspects of basic military training and technical training in Air Education and Training Command. 

A 1984 graduate of the University of Miami (Fla.), the colonel began his career as a student in undergraduate pilot training at Laughlin AFB, Texas. Following T-38 pilot instructor training at Randolph AFB, Texas, the colonel served as a T-38 instructor pilot for the 86th Flying Training Squadron at Laughlin, and then served as T-38 flight examiner for the 47th Flying Training Wing, also at Laughlin. 

In 1990, the colonel became a student at the F-16 Replacement Training Unit at MacDill AFB, Fla., followed by an assignment as an F-16 pilot and flight commander with the 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Homestead AFB, Fla. In his next assignment, he served as an F-16 pilot and flight commander with the 308th Fighter Squadron at Moody AFB, Ga. In 1993, he moved to Luke AFB, Az., where he served as F-16 flight examiner and flight commander for the 62nd Fighter Squadron. 

Colonel Orr moved to Air Combat Command headquarters at Langley AFB, Va. in 1995, where he was special action officer in the Commander's Action Group, and later, executive officer to the ACC vice commander. 

In 1998, the colonel returned to the cockpit, serving as instructor pilot and flight examiner with the 80th Fighter Squadron and operations officer with the 35th Fighter Squadron at Kunsan Air Base in the Republic of Korea. His next assignment took him back to Luke AFB, where he was an instructor pilot and flight examiner as Director of Staff for the 56th Fighter Wing, and later, commander of the 56th Operations Support Squadron. 

Following an assignment to Air War College, the colonel moved to the Pentagon for a Joint Staff assignment, serving as Chief of the Air and Sea Branch, Force Application Division. In July 2005, he was assigned back to Luke as vice commander of the 56th Fighter Wing.