Mr. Donald C. Weckhorst is the Executive Director, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) and the 673d Air Base Wing. In this capacity he acts as a principle advisor to the installation commander and is the senior civilian in the 673 ABW. JBER hosts the headquarters for the United States Alaskan Command, 11th Air Force, U.S. Army Alaska, and the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region. The 673d ABW maintains an $11.4B infrastructure encompassing 80,000 acres, ensuring Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson remains America's premier strategic power projection platform. Mr. Weckhorst directs and coordinates the actions of 16 wing staff agencies. The 673d ABW, with its four groups operates and maintains the joint base for air sovereignty, combat training, force staging and throughput operations in support of worldwide contingencies. The 673d ABW comprises over 5,500 joint military and civilian personnel, supporting America's Arctic Warriors and their families. The wing supports and enables three AF total-force wings, two Army Brigades and 55 other tenant units. In addition, the wing provides medical care to over 35,000 joint service members, dependents, VA patients and retirees throughout Alaska.
Prior to this appointment, Mr. Weckhorst had a distinguished military career as an officer in the United States Air Force. He served in a variety of command and staff positions with assignments as the Pacific Air Forces Inspector General, a Japan-based fighter wing Vice Commander, a Group Commander, a Fighter Squadron Commander and deputy director Combined Air Operations Center USCENTAF. He held staff positions at Headquarters Air Force, the Pentagon, Air Combat Command, 5th Air Force and Pacific Air Forces. A command pilot, Mr. Weckhorst has over 3,500 hours in the F-16, F-5 and A-10 to include combat operations during Operation SOUTHERN WATCH.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, Christopher Newport College, Newport News, VA
Master of Science, Public Administration, Golden Gate University, San Francisco, CA
Master of Science, Strategic Studies, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL
Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL
Army Command and Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS
Squadron Officers School, Maxwell AFB, AL
Army Garrison Pre-Command Course, Fort Belvoir, VA
Fighter Weapons School; A-10, Nellis AFB, NV
Fighter Weapons School; F-5, Williams AFB, AZ
CAREER CHRONOLOGY:
Dec 1979 - Sept 2008, Active Duty Air Force
Feb 2009 - Oct 2010, 673 ABW Chief of Staff, US Army Civilian
Oct 2010 - Nov 2011, 673 ABW Chief of Staff, Department of the Air Force
Nov 11 - Present, Executive Director , 673 ABW, Department of the Air Force
AWARDS AND HONORS
Civilian
Army Superior Civilian Service Award
Military
Legion of Merit Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal w/Service Star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Ribbon with 3 Oak leaf clusters
Tactical Air Command Instructor Pilot of the year
(Current as of Feb 2015)