Brig. Gen. Robert Novotny, commander of the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, announces retirement

The current commander of the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, including the famous Thunderbirds, has announced his retirement.

Brig. Gen. Robert Novotny will be retiring this year, but not for several months, according to Nellis Air Force Base. At this time, it is not known what he will do next.

Novotny took over command of the base in June 2018 and is responsible for 37 squadrons and 11 installations. The wing flies and maintains more than 130 aircraft. He is also responsible for 4 groups: 57th Adversary Tactics Group, 57th Operations Group, 57th Maintenance Group and the U.S. Air Force Weapons School. In addition, he oversees the U.S. Air Force Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Operations School; U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds; and the Red Flag and Green Flag exercises.

Novotny was commissioned in 1992 upon graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He earned his wings at Laughlin Air Base in Texas.

He is a command pilot with more than 2,500 flight hours in 11 different aircraft, primarily in the F-15C/D/E, and more than 540 combat hours. Prior to his current assignment, he served as the Deputy Director, Plans, Programs, Requirements, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.