OTS installs its first ANG commandant

Brig. Gen. Terry Djuric (left), Holm Center commander, presents the Officer Training School flag to Col. Timothy P. O'Brien (right), the incoming OTS commandant, during the school's change of command ceremony as Master Sgt. Jacqueline Barfield, the school's superintendent, looks on. Colonel O'Brien is the first Air National Guard officer to lead OTS. (U.S. Air Force/Bennett Rock)

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OTS installs its first ANG commandant

Published June 8, 2010
By Carl Bergquist
Air University Public Affairs

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Col. Laura Koch relinquished leadership of Officer Training School to Col. Timothy O'Brien during a ceremony June 8 at the school's Boyd Auditorium.

Colonel O'Brien is the first Air National Guard officer to lead OTS.

Before coming to his new job, Colonel O'Brien had served as deputy to the OTS commander since September 2009.

He received his commission in 1988 through the Academy of Military Science at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn. A command pilot with more than 3,300 flying hours, Colonel O'Brien has commanded a combat search and rescue helicopter squadron, held a variety of operational flying and staff assignments at the wing level and completed a Headquarters Air Force staff assignment in acquisitions and requirements.

The colonel has flown various models of the HH-60G Pave Hawk and HH-3E Jolly Green Giant helicopters during his career.

Colonel O'Brien described the ceremony as, "a really big day for him," and said he has had many challenges in his career, but none compare to leading OTS. He thanked Brig. Gen. Terry Djuric, commander of the Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions and Citizen Development, for the opportunity to lead the school and remarked to Colonel Koch that it has been a privilege to work with her.

"All of your efforts are a testimony to your dedication to the Air Force," he told Colonel Koch. "I look forward to leading at OTS. Thank you, and let's get back to work."

Colonel Koch, who will be moving to the Pentagon as a senior investigative officer at the Headquarters Air Force Inspector General's Office, said OTS has one goal: to build tomorrow's leaders. She said every graduation she attended at OTS will remain with her as the "reward of the job." About the OTS staff, she said, "you are phenomenal."

General Djuric said there are a lot of changes in the works at OTS and since Colonel O'Brien has been on staff since 2009, he can help make those changes happen.

"The real change we are hoping for is a more natural integration of Air Guard, Air Force Reserve and active duty members in the training," she said. "Colonel O'Brien is a natural leader who inspires both the students and the faculty."