Delaware National Guard - DNG News 2002

Col. Ernest Talbert, commander of the 166th Airlift Wing, Delaware Air National Guard, announced on November 25 that Lt. Col. Dan Van Wyk is the new vice wing commander, effective immediately. Lt. Col. Van Wyk brings 18 years experience with the Delaware Air Guard, including 10 years as Logistics Group commander, to his new position as a member of the commander’s senior staff. He also has six years previous active duty experience.

Lt. Col. Dan Van Wyk addresses the nearly 200 airmen assembled in the Base Operations Theater, New Castle County Airbase on November 25, after 166^th Airlift Wing Commander Ernie Talbert introduced him as the new vice wing commander. Said Lt. Col. Van Wyk, "I think I’ve worked at one time or another with nearly everyone in this room. I want to assist the wing commander in implementing the things that will help us make the jump from being an excellent wing to being an outstanding wing." Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Gerald Dougherty

"I want to assist the wing commander in implementing the things that will help us make the jump from being an excellent wing to being an outstanding wing" said Lt. Col. Van Wyk on his first day on the job, taking a short break as he cleaned and arranged his mostly barren new office. "I want to work those issues that airmen say are important to them. I have approachability, and if someone has something on their chest, then come up to me and let it off."

Asked what he will do that is different from the top enlisted advisors and chief master sergeants, or even the wing commander, Van Wyk said "I provide advice and counsel to the wing commander. I bring a different perspective to help the commander make informed judgments."

Born in Pottsville, PA, Van Wyk went to Interboro High School in Prospect Park, PA. He graduated from Bloomsburg University with a B.S. in Education, where he commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program.

After technical school at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado, he spent three years active duty at Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina. He then returned to Lowry AFB for an additional three years. He served as maintenance office at both locations, and instructed maintenance officers.

After his six years in active service, he joined the DE Air National Guard in 1984, serving as a Field Maintenance Officer. In Operation Desert Storm he served overseas as a nighttime deputy commander for maintenance. The daytime deputy commander was Lt. Col. Skip Harrington, who retired from the unit two years ago. From 1991-2001, Van Wyk served as the Logistics Group commander. Recently, Van Wyk worked in the private sector full-time for most of 2001. After Sept. 11, 2001, he came back to lead our activated troops as the Detachment Commander and to manage force protection issues. "I look forward to working with all wing members and the commander," said Col Van Wyk.

Previous 166 Airlift Wing vice wing commanders were Col. Ernest Talbert, Col. Ronald Mehan, and Col. Anthony Tosi.