TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Col. John Kubinec is excited about his new job.

Since accepting the Air Force Sustainment Center vice commander position in mid-July, the career aircraft/munitions maintenance officer has his sight set on helping others reach their own success. After all, the colonel said he's in a position that can benefit so many people.

"Being a vice commander is a neat position because it's really all about making others successful," said Colonel Kubinec. "I'm far beyond anything I ever thought I would be able to do in the Air Force; it has given me so many opportunities. So, I can try to help others achieve their goals."

A graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Colonel Kubinec applied to the school partly to honor his military background -- his father served in the Navy in Vietnam prior to the colonel's birth -- and to see what it was all about. By graduation in 1992, the Pennsylvania native found he believed in the core values and wanted to serve others. He enjoyed being a part of the team.

His 20-year Air Force career has taken him across the country, Europe and Asia. Just prior to landing at Tinker, the colonel served as the 377th Air Base Wing and installation commander at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., a position he's coveted since he first understood what it meant to have the role. Much to his satisfaction, the colonel achieved the status of commander for two flights, a squadron and group; prior to leading the wing and installation.

"Every time I've had 'commander' in my title has just been a true honor," he said.
Having achieved more than he dreamed possible for himself, Colonel Kubinec wants to do for others what has been given to him. He has his focus set on the AFSC team.
Colonel Kubinec said as he learns the AFSC Way, scientific method and leadership model, he can put those lessons toward being available to personnel who need his guidance to achieve success or break down barriers in pursuit of Art of the Possible.

"But the first thing I have to do is understand who I'm serving, the missions and what success means to them," he said. "I'm proud of them and thankful we have folks eager to serve our country in the way that our Airmen, civilians and contractors do here and I'm proud to serve with them. They do it voluntarily and it just amazes me that we have great Americans who serve their country this way."