The Sun
Sunnyvale's Newspaper

New chief takes over at Onizuka

By Natasha Collins

Command of the $6.2 million Onizuka Air Station passed from one colonel to another in a formal ceremony on June 27.

Col. James Dill, who took over as commander from Col. Tim Roberts, will be responsible for operations and maintenance of the air station. He will lead 800 military and civilian personnel responsible for commanding and tracking Department of Defense, NASA and NATO spacecraft and communication satellites. He is also in charge of more than 1,800 contract employees who assist in missions and operations at the base.

"It is a pleasure to be here," Dill said. "Space is critical to national security as well as the civil and commercial space sector. Without this facility, those sectors probably wouldn't survive."

Dill said he was looking forward to serving as Onizuka's commander.

"I believe Onizuka has two national assets--the [base] itself and the civilian, military and contract professionals who operate it."

Col. Roberts, who will be moving to Colorado Springs, agreed that working at Onizuka had been an honor.

"This is the finest team in our Air Force I've had the privilege of working with," Roberts said.

Dill's assignment at Onizuka is not his space-related command. He has served as special assistant to the director of missile warnings, chief of the space operations branch of the Air Force and deputy operations group commander of the 21st Space Wing. His previous assignment was as chief of the space and missile policy branch of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon.

"I cannot think of anyone more capable to take command of Onizuka Air Station than Col. Dill," said Col. Elwood Tircuit who presided over the change of command. "It will be an honor for him to lead this group that's so close to the 'tip of the spear.' This mission is critical to our Force and our nation.

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This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, July 2, 1997.
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