19th AF command chief says goodbye to Altus AFB

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Justin Apticar, center, 19th Air Force command chief, uses a jackhammer at Altus Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma, March 12, 2024. Apticar included Altus AFB in his list of bases he wanted to visit before he retires later this year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kari Degraffenreed)

19th AF command chief says goodbye to Altus AFB

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Justin Apticar, left, 19th Air Force command chief, changes the oil on a Tunner 60K Aircraft Cargo Loader/Transporter with Airman 1stClass Logan Gaulin, right, 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance technician, at Altus Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma, March 13, 2024. While at Altus AFB, Apticar toured the 97th Maintenance Squadron, 97th Medical Group, 97thOperations Support Squadron, and spoke at the Senior Master Sgt. Release Party.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kari Degraffenreed)

19th AF command chief says goodbye to Altus AFB

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Mason Harwell, left, 97th Medical Group (MDG) aerospace medical technician, demonstrates to Chief Master Sgt. Justin Apticar, 19th Air Force command chief, right, how to insert an intravenous injection at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, March 12, 2024. While at the 97th MDG, Apticar also learned how to create a dental mold. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kari Degraffenreed)

19th AF command chief says goodbye to Altus AFB

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Justin Apticar, left, 19th Air Force command chief, assists Senior Airman Brandon Schulze, right, 97th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, in rolling up a 46-person raft at Altus Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma, March 12, 2024. Apticar toured several squadrons during his two-day visit to interact with Airmen at Altus AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kari Degraffenreed)

19th AF command chief says goodbye to Altus AFB

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Justin Apticar, 19th Air Force command chief, ties off a46-person raft that he helped roll at Altus Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma, March 12, 2024.While meeting with Airmen of the 97th Air Mobility Wing, Apticar answered questions about his career, why he loves to come to Altus AFB, and explained the importance of Air Education Command changing to Airmen Development Command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1stClass Kari Degraffenreed)

19th AF command chief says goodbye to Altus AFB

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Justin Apticar, 19th Air Force command chief, eats lunch with Airmen from the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Hangar 97, March 12, 2024.Apticar asked each Airmen to tell him about themselves before explaining what they can expect when the Air Education and Training Command changes to Airmen Development Command on March 22, 2024. (U.S Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kari Degraffenreed)

19th AF command chief says goodbye to Altus AFB

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Justin Apticar, 19th Air Force command chief, speaks at the Senior Master Sgt. release party at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, March 13, 2024. Apticar passed along advice he gained from his 30-year Air Force career to the new Senior Master Sgt. selects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kari Degraffenreed)

19th AF command chief says goodbye to Altus AFB

Published March 21, 2024
By Airman 1st Class Kari Degraffenreed
97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --

Chief Master Sgt. Justin Apticar, 19th Air Force command chief, came out to Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, March 12-13, 2024, for an immersive tour. As Apticar reflects on his upcoming retirement, he told Airmen of the Mighty 97th that he wanted to visit Altus AFB one more time before he hung up his uniform.

“Your mission is very unique,” Apticar said. “I wanted to make sure the community of Altus knew how important you all are to me, and that’s why I made it my last base on this tour. I want to close out my career leaving Altus.”