Col. Gail Atkins became the first female commander at the Corpus Christi Army Depot after ceremonies at the depot’s Hangar 44 on July 20. At the same time, Col. Allan Lanceta retired from the position in the joint exercise.
Atkins served almost 18 years as a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter pilot before becoming commander of the 122nd Aviation Support Battalion, 82nd CAB. She deployed the battalion from Afghanistan in 2014 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. She spoke to a military news reporter in 2013 about the changing role of women in combat. At the time, she was a lieutenant colonel.
“We are seeing an evolution with regard to women in combat roles, in how our skills have evolved, and how we are exploiting those skills,” she said. “In aviation, we went through this back in ’93, when the military opened up attack aviation to women, so we are 15 years ahead of the curve in aviation compared to where our other branches are.”
Before coming to Corpus Christi, she served as division chief for the Joint Staff in Washington, D.C.
At the Corpus Christi Army Depot, she has 3,000 people under her command. She noted to reporters at the ceremony that the work done at the army depot affects people around the world.
“It’s hard to see that in South Texas while they are flying your aircraft in Afghanistan,” she said, speaking of the people who work at the Corpus Christi Army Depot. “It’s a lot closer than you think. I want them to remember that and realize the impact that they make.”
The depot repairs and overhauls helicopters for the army. Established in 1961, it is one of the largest employers in the Coastal Bend. Atkins will serve two years as its commander.
“I always trust my instincts,” Atkins said in her remarks during the ceremony. “As long as I remember it’s about the workforce and the warfighter, I really can’t make the wrong decision.”