Robins Air Force Base 461st Air Control Wing introduce new leader at Change of Command ceremony

WARNER ROBINS – Robins Air Force Base 461st Air Control Wing welcomed new Commander Colonel Sandra Bonney during its Change of Command Ceremony on Wednesday, June 25.

Previous Commander Colonel, Adam Shelton, passed on the role to Bonney. During the ceremony, they did a Formation Renders last salute and Formation Renders first salute. Members of the control wing gave their last salute to Shelton then, later on, gave their first salute to Bonney. This marks the beginning and end of a chapter for the air control wing.

Bonney said she hopes to continue the phenomenal legacy left by Shelton.

“We have emerging capabilities with all of our missions right now so taking those capabilities and evolving the current missions that we do and making progress on that front is where I hope to contribute,” she said

The 461st Air Control Wing was first constituted as the 461st Bombardment Group in 1943. It was activated at RAFB in October 2011 as part of team JSTARS supporting deployments to multiple operations including Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, Unified Protector, Inherent Resolve and Freedom Sentinel. It is the Air Force’s only wing operationalizing command, control and communications concepts and capabilities. This is also known as C3.

During the ceremony, Shelton said RAFB is the home of C3 combat operations and bid farewell to the 461st Air Control Wing.

“It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve alongside you and with you,” he said.

Bonney has been serving in the air control wing for two years as a Deputy Commander; meaning she is already a familiar face among her peers. 

As Commander, Bonney will lead ground-based tactical command and control weapon systems, combat airfield operations and the only active-duty combat communications group. She will direct the training, mobilization and deployment of combat ready personnel and also direct equipment to designated theaters of operation and conduct sustained at the Battle Control Center. This provides uninterrupted command, control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of the joint force commander. 

Bonney will also be responsible for the mobilization and deployment of multi-capable personnel, computers, radios, transport systems and deployable air traffic control and landing systems. This enables wartime and peacetime operations for combatant commanders, joint task forces, Air Force components and Department of Defense agencies.

Bonney shared she has many goals stepping into her new role. She noticed RAFB’s airmen are both creative and innovative. Bonney believes if she gives them the support, guidance and needed instructions, they can take missions to the next level. 

“All I really need to do is give that guidance and let the airmen run. They are phenomenal airmen. With the support that we have from the Air Force Base across the installation, our mission partners [and] as well as the community, we are so supported on the home front with these airmen,” she said. All I really need to do [is to] take care of them and the mission will take care of itself.”

Bonney wants airmen to know she will work tirelessly to support them. She said she will listen to them and give them guidance.

“I’m still the same leader, but the dynamic will change now as the commander, but my dedication, my devotion to what they need; they and their families will not change,” she said.