60th Air Mobility Wing welcomes new vice commander

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Donald Osborn
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 60th Air Mobility Wing welcomed its new vice commander to join the ranks of the largest mobility organization in the Air Force. 

Col. Giovanni Tuck replaced Col. Tom Sharpy, who took command of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. Colonel Tuck joins Team Travis after spending the last year as student at the National War College, National Defense University, at Fort McNair, Washington, D.C., earning a Master of Science degree. 

"Travis has certainly changed a lot since the last time we were here," said Colonel Tuck. "But we are glad to be back, and I look forward to continuing doing the great job for Team Travis, that Colonel Sharpy had done." 

As vice commander, he serves as assistant to the commander for the combined efforts of all operations and support activities associated with the worldwide air mobility mission. The C-5 Galaxy, KC-10 Extender and C-17 Globemaster III assigned aircraft participate in air, land and aerial refueling taskings, responding to Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed combat operations, and supporting U.S. State Department-sponsored humanitarian relief efforts worldwide. 

In the absence of the wing commander, Colonel Tuck is responsible for ensuring the readiness and well being of nearly 24,500 active duty, Reserve and civilian personnel and their families. 

"It's great to have Colonel Tuck on board with us here at Travis," said Col. Steve Arquiette, 60th AMW commander. "He brings a wealth of leadership and mobility expertise to Team Travis, and he will help lead us in achieving new heights executing our mission, caring for our Airmen and families and being valued partners in the local communities." 

"My goal here is to help Colonel and Mrs. Arquiette, and Chief and Mrs. Williams continue their vision for Team Travis," said Colonel Tuck. "Susie and I have known the Colonel and Mrs. Arquiette for 13 years, and finally getting to work for them and this team is a great fit." 

Colonel Tuck received a commission in the U.S. Air Force after earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the Southwest Texas State University in May 1987. After graduating undergraduate pilot training at Vance Air Force Base, Okla., in June 1988, he went on to become a command pilot with more than 4,800 flying hours in the following aircraft: T-37, T-38, C-141B, C-21A, UH-1, KC-10A and KC-135R/T. 

His major awards and decorations include: Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with V device for Valor, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Kuwaiti Liberation Medal (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and the Kuwaiti Liberation Medal (Emirate of Kuwait.) 

"Susie, the kids and I are looking forward to getting out and saying hello and meeting all the fine Airmen and civilians that make Travis great," said Colonel Tuck. "We look forward to serving Team Travis members in the 60th AMW and our partners at the 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force, the 615th Contingency Response Wing and the 349th Air Mobility Wing."