Middle Georgia Technical College

78th Air Base Wing Commander Visits Middle Georgia Technical College

Warner Robins - Colonel Mitchel H. Butikofer, commander of the 78th Air Base Wing at Robins Air Force Base, visited Middle Georgia Technical College Wednesday, October 26, to become familiar with the services offered by MGTC, including the co-op partnership between Robins AFB and the College. Col. Butikofer was accompanied by his wife, Leslie, Chief Master Sergeant Patrick Bowen, Colonel Roger Johnson, and Chief Master Sergeant Mike Davis. Col. Butikofer and his delegation were able to learn about the services offered to the community by MGTC, including credit programs, adult education, economic development programs, as well as the long-standing co-op program partnership with Robins Air Force Base.

The RAFB group received a presentation from Dr. Ivan Allen, MGTC president, and Jeff Scruggs, vice president for Economic Development and Institutional Support Services. After a question and answer session, Colonel Butikofer, CMSgt. Davis, and CMSgt. Bowen were able to torn many of the industrial program areas, including those that are involved with the co-op program. MGTC and Robins AFB offer co-ops through the Electronics Technology, Aircraft Structural, Machine Tool Technology, and Aviation Maintenance programs.

Col. Butikofer's wife, Leslie, and Colonel Johnson were able to visit with the Child Development Center (CDC) on MGTC's campus. The CDC offers care for children ages 3 to 12. In addition, the MGTC CDC offers the Georgia Lottery-funded pre-k program. This program allows children to attend pre-k at no cost.

Col. Butifkofer was recently assigned to Robins Air Force Base in July. He is responsible for overseeing 2,500 Airmen annually and for providing facilities and equipment support for the base's 37 hosted units. He commands over 4,600 personnel, a communications directorate, an operations support squadron, a comptroller squadron, and 10 wing staff agencies. He is also directly responsible for logistics, medical, civil engineer, security, and mission support functions, in addition to managing facilities and equipment valued at $6.9 billion.

Col. Butikofer received his commission in 1989 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at Utah State University. His career highlights include two squadron commands; two group commands; various headquarter staffs; and the Air Staff and the Office of secretary of Defense Staff.

MGTC and Robins AFB have had a venerable and fruitful partnership, helping to provide over 500 middle Georgia citizens with jobs at RAFB since the co-op program began. In addition to the co-op, MGTC also provides contract training through the Economic Development department at the Base.

To find out more about MGTC or the co-op program, call 478.988.6800 or log on to www.middleGAtech.edu. MGTC is also on Facebook and Twitter. Spring semester applications are being accepted now. Classes will start January 9.

Col. Butikofer and his wife Leslie are pictured with his staffers and member of the Administration from Middle Georgia Technical College.

MGTC Vice President Jeff Scruggs shows Col. Butikofer and his staff members a trainer and some examples of work performed by students in the Aviation Maintenance Technology program.