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Colonel Boltz takes command of 30th SW
VANDNEBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Col. Richard Boltz assumed command of the 30th Space Wing in a change-of-command ceremony at the parade grounds here April 26.
Colonel Boltz assumed command from Col. David Buck upon his selection for reassignment to U.S. Central Command where he will serve as the director of space operations forces in Southeast Asia.
Colonel Boltz's past assignments include commander of the 17th Test Squadron at Schriever AFB, Colo., and director of joint exercises and training at U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt AFB, Neb. Most recently, he was the commander of the 614th Air and Space Operations Center and director of the Joint Space Operations Center here.
After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in physics at the University of Dayton in Ohio, Colonel Boltz earned master's degrees in space operations, military operational arts and sciences, airpower arts and sciences, and national security strategy. He is also a senior executive fellow of the Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government. He was the distinguished graduate of his Air Force ROTC and Undergraduate Space Training classes, as well as the Air Command Staff College. Colonel Boltz was also the top graduate of the Air Force Institute of Technology, Space Operations, and U.S. Air Force Space Tactics School.
His awards include the Defense Superior Service, Defense Meritorious Service, Meritorious Service and Joint Service medals.
"Richard has a great heritage here at Vandenberg Air Force Base," said Lt. Gen. Larry James, the 14th Air Force and Joint Functional Component Command for Space commander. "This wing will be in good hands with Richard Boltz and he will continue to move the bar higher and take us to even greater success in the future."