New McChord AFB chief expects role in Afghanistan

Associated Press

MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE — The new commander of McChord Air Force Base expects a lot of work from an anticipated troop buildup in Afghanistan.

Col. Kevin J. Kilb tells The News Tribune of Tacoma the base will likely play a central role if U.S. military forces are shifted from Iraq to Afghanistan.

The 43-year-old Kilb was installed Friday as commander of the 62nd Airlift Wing at McChord. He replaces Col. Jeffrey Stephenson, who was appointed chief of staff of the Air Force chair at the National War College in Washington, D.C.

Kilb says one of his top priorities is to ensure a smooth merger between McChord and neighboring Fort Lewis. The consolidation was ordered in 2005 and is scheduled to take effect by October 2010.

Information from: The News Tribune, www.thenewstribune.com

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