MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- Col. Marty Timko, former 167th Airlift Wing airlift squadron commander, became the new 167th operations group commander, April 6.
The former operations group commander, Col. Richard Robichaud, held the position for approximately a decade and retired May 1.
Timko, a1993 Air Force Academy graduate, served 10 years as an active duty navigator on the C-130, then transitioned to the 167th. During the unit’s conversion to the C-5 Galaxy in 2006, Timko re-trained as a pilot.
Timko is excited for the wing to finish the conversion to the C-17 Globemaster III and implement some of the lessons he's from his mentor, Robichaud. His goal is to move forward from the conversion and help maintain continuity in operations and a consistent flying schedule.
Col. Shaun J. Perkowski, the 167th wing commander, said, “Col. Timko has the depth and breadth of knowledge and experience to lead the OPS [Operations] Group out of conversion and continue the operational phase of our C-17 mission.”
Timko has already gained experience as operations group commander by filling in for Robichaud while he was on extended temporary duty (TDY) for a year.
Col. David Cochran, the 167th vice wing commander, said Timko is aware of the leadership necessary to command the operations group and excelled as acting commander for operations during Robichaud’s TDY.
Perkowski said, “His [Timko] background as the airlift squadron commander and a deployed commander makes him a natural fit for this position.”
“Timko is the right leader, at the right time to ensure the continued excellence in operations for the 167th,” said Cochran. “He is a very talented addition to the senior leadership team.”
Timko said it has been a seamless transition into the role as operations commander and the operations group hasn’t skipped a beat.
Perkowski has confidence in not only Timko’s ability to lead the group, but in the men and women of the operations group to follow his lead.
The 167th just finished a successful 4-month aeromedical rotation and is scheduled to resume the rotation in the spring of 2018.
Along with the aeromedical mission, the 167th has also been flying guard lifts, bi-weekly Air Mobility Command missions and various other missions.