Cortland colonel returns to roots for 910 MDS command Published May 31, 2007 By Tech. Sgt. Bob Barko Jr. 910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Youngstown Air Reserve Station -- A change of command ceremony for the 910th Medical Squadron was held May 6 at the Eagle's Nest base club. Col. Ronnie J. Roberts succeeded Col. Mary C. DeLucia, who will be the senior Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) to the 88th Medical Group commander at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Prior to his arrival at the 910th, Col. Roberts was the commander of the 908th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (AES), Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. from 2005 to 2007. His prior reserve assignments include Operations Officer, Flight Nurse Examiner, Officer in Charge (OIC) of Staff Development, Assistant Chief Nurse, and Chief of Standards and Evaluations at the 911th Aeromedical Staging Squadron in Pittsburgh, Pa. Col. Roberts began his military career in 1970 with his enlistment in the Army. He attended Basic Training at Fort Campbell, Ky., Advanced Individual Training specializing in combat tank M-52 crew member training at Fort Knox, Ky. and Redeye Missile training at Fort Bliss, Texas, From there he completed a long tour with the 2/72nd Armor Battalion 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Casey, Korea. He completed his active duty commitment by advancing to Sergeant, Tank Commander, Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of the Redeye Missile Platoon. After his stint with the Army, he completed his undergraduate degree in Nursing at Kent State University in 1976. After college, his real-world civilian experience began which would eventually bring him to his current civilian position at the Ohio State Penitentiary. "I started on an ambulance part-time before there was official training for paramedics," said Col. Ronnie J. Roberts. Col. Roberts said after riding ambulances and working his way up from orderly in many emergency rooms and trauma centers across Northeast Ohio, he wanted to take his work as a nurse to another level. This meant leaving the ground and putting on a military uniform again. His interest in flight nursing drew him back military duty and he joined the Air Force Reserve in 1988. In 1996, he completed Air Command and Staff College and Air War College in 2004. During his reserve career, he has deployed numerous times to the Middle East including King Khalid Military City (KKMC) during Operation Desert Storm, Prince Sultan Air Force Base, Saudi Arabia during Operation Southern Watch, Seeb North, Oman as Officer in Charge (OIC) of the AES and as the Chief Nurse at Camp Wolf, Kuwait. Col. Roberts said his experiences as a deployed reservist have at times been difficult yet always rewarding. "I have been bled on by the finest troops that have ever been fielded by the United States of America," Col. Roberts said. "I'm very hands-on in taking care of our guys. I'm proud as I can be for that," he said. Col. Roberts said he is very serious about his work and his record shows it. During his career, he has earned the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Force Achievement Medal with one device. Even though the Air Force has recognized his efforts during his career, Col. Roberts said he not a flashy kind of commander. "There's no razzle-dazzle here. I'm a BDU's kind of commander," he said. His "do as I do" method of command has proven itself in his previous assignments. Units under his leadership strived for excellence and often attained it. In 1988, his crew was selected as the "best overall AE crew" during the AE Patriot Peach rodeo. In 2005, the 908th was selected as the Air Force Reserve's Outstanding Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. Although Col. Roberts was born in Cleveland and has been a Mahoning Valley resident all of his life, he has never held a local duty position during his 20 years of service. "The stars are aligning for me, this must be divine intervention for me, a local boy, to finally get a position in my hometown," Col. Roberts said. "I'm excited to be at YARS and be part of the community," he said. Col. Roberts was so honored to serve in his hometown that he passed up a position at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey that he had been selected for. After applying for the position at McGuire, Col. Roberts met Col. Tim Thomson, the 910th Airlift Wing commander and Col. DeLucia at a recent Senior Leadership conference. During this encounter, Col. Roberts learned of the open position for commander at the 910th MDS. While he began to pursue the position at YARS, Col. Roberts learned he was accepted for the job in New Jersey. However, after spending two years commuting more than 850 miles each way to his assignment in Alabama, another long distance command was not to be in his future. "Col. Thomson called me on Easter Sunday to say he wanted me for the position here," said Col. Roberts. After a round of command level communications between YARS and McGuire, Col. Roberts had an approved flight plan for a command in his hometown. Within the month, he accepted the position at the 910th MDS and was promoted to the rank of colonel. "I just pinned on my "chicken" on May 1st," he said with a laugh. The irreverent reference to the new rank on his should boards revealed another side to the new medical squadron commander. "I work hard but I also play hard," he said. During his remarks at the ceremony, the hard playing side again emerged as Col. Roberts professed his status as a die hard Cleveland Browns fan drawing a raucous cheer from the audience. He also took a moment to introduce his wife Shelly, his children; three sons and two daughters, as well as members of his extended family who were attending a the ceremony. As he continued to address the crowd gathered at the base club, his comments turned towards his expectations of himself and his new staff. "I have big shoes to fill here," he said, referring to his predecessor, Col. DeLucia, who said Col. Roberts was inheriting a dedicated staff of professionals from a wide spectrum of medical specialties. "While meeting all of you in the last few days, I have seen you are good people and we will accomplish some great things," he said. Although he hopes to end his military career here, Col. Roberts has no intention of retiring any time soon. "I have a job to do and I will be doing it until the last minute I wear this uniform," he said. "It's been an amazing career (so far) but Uncle Sam wants to know what we're doing tomorrow," said Col. Roberts.