Robins NCO Academy prepares to close Published May 8, 2008 Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The Robins AFB Non-Commissioned Officers Academy officially closes May 20, one of several academies that have closed or are closing soon. Chief Master Sgt. Roy Lapioli, commandant of the Robins academy, said the school started decreasing its staff a few months ago when the staff learned about the pending inactivation. In addition to the Robins NCOA's inactivation, other academies have also closed or are closing, including those at: McGuire AFB, N.J., which closed last year; Goodfellow AFB, Texas, which will close May 28; and Kirtland AFB, N.M., which will close in 2009. Chief Lapioli said continental NCO academies that will remain open include those at: Peterson AFB, Colo.; Tyndall AFB, Fla.; Gunter AFB, Ala.; Lackland AFB, Texas; and McGhee-Tyson Air National Guard Base in Alcoa, Tenn. In addition, four overseas NCO academies will remain open at locations in Japan, Alaska, Hawaii, and Germany. The NCO Academy is professional military education targeted to technical sergeants. All technical sergeants must complete the six-week course before becoming senior NCOs. More than 220 academic hours focus on leadership, communications, and the profession of arms -- among many other subjects. (Holly Birchfield, 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this report)