TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Col. Charles J. Metzgar is welcomed to the 349th Air Mobility wing this UTA as the vice commander. As vice commander, Colonel Metzgar assists the commander in leading more than 2,800 Airmen in the largest Reserve Associate Wing in the Air Force, which provides combat ready crews and support for the C-17 Globemaster III, C-5M Super Galaxy, and KC-10 Extender aircraft. The wing also provides expeditionary support in all aspects of air base security and operations. In addition, the wing provides medical care throughout the Area of Responsibility and the patient transportation process.
Colonel Metzgar received his Air Force commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 1996. Following pilot training and a tour as a T-37B First Assignment Instructor Pilot (FAIP), he progressed to the C-17A where he served as an Aircraft Commander, Instructor/Evaluator Pilot, and the 62nd Airlift Wing’s Airlift Director. Following that assignment, he proceeded to the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus AFB where he led check flight for the C-17 Formal Training Unit as the Chief of Standardization and Evaluation. Since joining the reserves, Colonel Metzgar has served in a variety of roles including flight commander, standardization and evaluation pilot, chief pilot, and squadron commander. Notably, he is a veteran of the National Science Foundation’s DEEP FREEZE mission and has 750 combat hours that span the Horn of Africa as well as Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, and NEW DAWN. Colonel Metzgar’s previous assignments also include duties as a Planner and Executor in the Theater Direct Delivery cell at the 618th Air Operations Center, as an action officer on the 18th Air Force’s A3 staff as well as the 313th Airlift Squadron commander.
Colonel Metzgar is a command pilot with more than 5,900 flying hours and 750 combat hours in the T-37B, T-1A, and C-17A aircraft. In his civilian capacity, he is a B-737 first officer with a major airline.