Retiring command looks back on time at Alaskan Command

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cynthia Spalding
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- --  After three and a half years of leadership in Alaska, Air Force Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, Alaskan Command commander, bids farewell Monday.

Atkins is the senior military officer in Alaska, responsible for the integration of all military activities in the Alaskan theater of operations.

He commands ALCOM, 11th Air Force, Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and Joint Task Force Alaska.

As he nears the end of his command, he shared what he's gained.

"One thing I am going to take from here is it's not my success, it's the team's success and that team here is a very dynamic team. It's an Air Force team under the 11th Air Force, a joint team under the JTF and ALCOM and an alliance team under the Alaska NORAD Region," Atkins said.

Atkins was afforded the opportunity to experience the making of a joint base environment as Airmen and Soldiers came together.

"What I saw when the Air Force partnered with the Army to form a joint base, that was a real proud moment, it's monumental," Atkins said. "The memories of how joint basing came together and how we have collectively moved this initiative to develop Alaska as a premier exercise, training, test and evaluation environment under Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex was a remarkable accomplishment."

Atkins explained how the military percentage in the Alaskan community has definitely played a significant role in the successes of the base.

"Alaska is unique," he said. "A large percentage of the community is military in some sort or fashion. They've been in our shoes and understand our sacrifices and the constraints and they have a willingness to help you bridge those. They do it better than any community I have ever been associated with."

On a more personal level, Atkins described how some of the people he met developed into personal relationships and enduring friendships.

He also shared how his wife, Laura, and children were a big part of his successes not only in Alaska, but throughout his Air Force career.

"I have both tragic and euphoric memories. I think we have had more than our fair share of tragedies, on the flip side, organizationally and individually we've become stronger from these tragedies," said Atkins.

While Alaska is very dynamic in its culture and size, it also is geographically different than the lower 48.

"One Alaskan experience I know I'll never forget was tagging on to a 47-pound King salmon," Atkins said. "That's something etched forever in my mind in a very positive way."

As the general makes the transition into the private sector he is prepared for what is ahead of him.

"I know what I am going to take with me. I'm going to take with me this aspect of 'oh gosh, I wish I had it like it used to be,'" said Atkins. "Friends tell you about how the core values, the personal discipline, our ethics and everything that's good about us and our profession do not necessarily exist in the private sector."

With over 4,000 flight hours in fighter aircraft and after 36 years of service, both enlisted and commissioned, Atkins will retire from the military Jan. 1.

Shortly after he hands over his command responsibilities to Air Force Lt. Gen. Stephen Hoog, former 9th Air Force commander, Monday, Atkins' plans involve a move to Augusta, Ga., where he will become president of The Augusta Chronicle.

Atkins said he's excited about the unique challenge he will face with maintaining, sustaining and even improving print.

"For me it all goes back to 1977 when my mom and dad were there and they pinned on those gold bars on my shoulders. I got there because people cared about me enough to set me on this path," Atkins said.

Finally, the general shared how words will never be able to express how thankful he is.

"I have been remarkably blessed to have the people around me who make up the missions and the successes that we've had and that I have been afforded," said Atkins. "Everything good in my life has Air Force tattooed on it; from the moment I was 18 years old, goodness has permeated my life."

"From meeting my wife to watching my children grow up in an Air Force environment, I thank you."