New commander takes over at Kirtland - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

New commander takes over at Kirtland

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Kirtland Air Force Base has a new commander.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that Col. John C. Kubinec assumed command of the Albuquerque base on Monday.

Kubinec is a career aircraft-munitions maintenance officer and former vice commander at one of the Air Force's three air logistics centers.

The 41-year-old has been in the Air Force nearly 20 years.

His primary duties at Kirtland will be ensuring the viability of the Air Force's nuclear weapons and making sure the base serves its more than 100 mission partners and contractors.

Kubinec says his new command is a "dream come true" and called Kirtland one of the Air Force's "crown jewels."

Kubinec and his wife, Tanya, are expecting their first child.