New 99th ABW Commander Published June 13, 2006 By Airman 1st Class Andrew Dumboski Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Col. Michael Bartley took command of the 99th Air Base Wing from Col. Walter Givhan in a ceremony at the F-22A Raptor hanger on Friday, March 17, 2006. Colonel Bartley’s previous assignment was the 35th Fighter Wing vice commander at Misawa AB, Japan. He joins team Nellis with an extensive operational and command background. He flew 40 combat missions over Iraq as an OA-10 Forward Air Controller during Operation Desert Storm and 65 combat missions over northern Iraq in the F-16C during Operation Provide Comfort. He has also flown combat missions over southern Iraq supporting Operation Southern Watch as the operations officer of the 523rd Fighter Squadron. Under his command at Cannon AFB, N.M., Colonel Bartley’s squadron was named the 27th Fighter Wing’s Squadron of the Year for 2001. He is a command pilot with more than 3,700 flying hours in the T-37, T-38, A-10, OA-10, and F-16C aircraft. Colonel Bartley graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the Air War College. He also holds two Master’s degrees, one in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the other in Military Studies. He is married to the former Robin Reed. They have two children, Kyle and Kevin
