MARIETTA - The 94th Airlift Wing at Dobbins Air Reserve Base now officially has a new commander.

On Saturday morning, approximately 1,200 Air Force Reservists stood at attention in the hangar at the west portion of the Air Reserve Base as the change of command took place. Col. Heath J. Nuckolls, who has been commander of the 94th Airlift Wing for 4 years, relinquished command to Col. Timothy E. Tarchick. Also in attendance were 50 delayed enlisted reservists, former commanders of the 94th and Kennesaw Mayor Mark Mathews and Kennesaw City Councilman Tim Killingsworth.

Public Affairs Officer Jim Weslowski said Tarchick has been working with the 94th for two weeks now, and that it is typical for commanders to be changed every four to six years. Tarchick was commander of the 934th Airlift Wing in Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Reserve Station in Minnesota for four years and one month before taking over as commander of the 94th, Tarchick said. In August and September 2005, Tarchick led the first Air Force rescue assets to respond to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita where the 920th Rescue Wing crews saved 1, 049 lives.

Nuckolls has been named Chief of Staff of the 22nd Air Force and will remain on the Dobbins campus.

"All of the Air Force's reserve wings are top-notch, but this is a great unit with a proud history. I hope to keep that tradition of excellence going and build upon the work of the commanders before me," Tarchick said.

The 94th Airlift Wing is made up of three groups and a medical element, containing 12 Squadrons, three Flights and 1,800 personnel. The primary mission of the wing is to train C-130H air crews for the United States Air Force and maintain combat-ready units to deploy on short notice to anywhere in the world. The wing also recruits, organizes and trains Air Force Reservists for active duty in national emergency situations and war. The air crews that are trained by the wing can deliver cargo and personnel via the C-130H aircraft into and out of airports and can deliver paratroopers and equipment to the point of conflict by airdrop.

During the ceremony, both Nuckolls and Tarchick spoke about their pasts as well as the future of the wing under new command.

"The relationship between the base and the local community has been excellent. In two years, Dobbins will be the only installation in the metro Atlanta and with 70,000 retirees and military members in the metro area, this could really become the focal point," Nuckolls said, before addressing the reservists in attendance. "All I can say is I applaud your sacrifice and dedication, and I know you'll give (Tarchick) the same high level of support you have given me."

Tarchick said he and his wife, Cindee, and their six children have found a home in Canton and joked that they are looking forward to being in an environment that will "put us away from the snow. It's been a brutal four and a half years in Minnesota."

Tarchick said his faith in God is his top priority in life, with his family being second and his professional responsibilities coming in third.

"Expect me to do the right thing morally, ethically and safely, and expect me to lead and expect you to lead with competence and character. In my eyes, failure is not an option. Period," Tarchick said. "But I also expect us to have a little fun along the way. You'll need to learn to laugh."