On July 24, the Chamber Board of Directors was introduced to Col. Justin Secrest, commander of Kirtland Air Force Base, by Sherman McCorkle, GACC legislative and state government advocacy chair.
McCorkle said Col. Secrest is the new Wing and Installation Commander at the 377th Air Base Wing at Kirtland Air Force Base. The 377th provides highly trained forces supporting the nuclear enterprise and expeditionary combat forces to combatant commanders.
The 377th Air Base Wing is responsible for installation operations, security, maintenance, medical care and mission support for 25,000 military and civilian employees, 27,000 retirees and 20,000 family members who live and work on the base.
Secrest enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1988 and has had assignments from Georgia to Germany, Alabama to Iraq. He has served in positions including flight commander, section commander, logistics officer, wing anti-terrorism officer, wing executive officer, operations officer, squadron commander, wing director of staff and deputy group commander.
Prior to coming to Kirtland, Col. Secrest was commander of the 90th Security Forces Group at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming.
Col. Secrest told board members that the Albuquerque community has welcomed him and his family since he was installed in the position.
The Chamber is excited to have Col. Secrest at the helm and welcomes his family to Albuquerque!