Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

New MacDill boss focuses on base life

Col. Margaret Woodward says she is eager to start her new job as commander of MacDill Air Force Base.

By DONG-PHUONG NGUYEN
Published February 26, 2005

TAMPA - She says she considers her two Samoyed dogs her children, enjoys horseback riding and biking, and the sight of a KC-135 refueling tanker makes her heart melt.

Col. Margaret Woodward, recently named new commander at MacDill Air Force base, met with reporters Friday to talk about her new job running the 6th Air Mobility Wing and tending to more than 50 tenants. She also discussed plans to improve life on base, shared her love of the outdoors and her passion for flying.

"I am extremely excited about the opportunity," Woodward said. "We've got lots to do."

Woodward, 44, drove through a Washington, D.C., snowstorm to start her new job at MacDill, which is also home to U.S. Central Command, the agency running the war in Iraq, and Special Operations Command, top leadership of the nation's commandoes.

Her previous post was with the Air Force Senior Leader Management Office, where she was deputy director in charge of support, policy and development for matters affecting the force's 5,200 colonels.

Coming south, she left behind her husband, also an Air Force colonel, and her two dogs. Col. Dan Woodward works on the Joint Staff in the Pentagon, where he will remain for the time being, she said.

"That's one of the things we have to trade," she said. "We came into it with our eyes wide open."

Woodward, raised in Palo Alto, Calif., joined the Air Force in 1983. She spent 10 months at the Pentagon and was preparing for another year there when she was named to replace Brig. Gen. David M. "Tanker" Snyder, making her the first woman to assume MacDill's top job.

Woodward looked forward to the move first because of the weather, but then was struck by the community's patriotism and diversity, she said. "It's a vibrant city," she said. "It's fun to be a part of a group of very patriotic people. It buoys you up and makes you very proud."

Within the gates, Woodward listed among her most important goals the need to improve the lives of people on base.

"I want to take care of the families who live and work at MacDill and alleviate as much stress as possible so that they can move forward with one of the most difficult jobs in the world," she said.

Woodward said she wants to explore ways to relieve traffic to cut the wait time at the gates in the mornings. She also wants to make it easier for people to navigate the base and shop there. She said she anticipates a push for carpooling and perhaps a new building offering one-stop shopping for retirees who now have to hop around from building to building.

There are more than $200-million in construction projects ongoing on base and more than $500-million projected in infrastructure improvements, she said.

Woodward assumes command of the base at a time when there is talk once again swirling about possible base closures. President Bush has ordered the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, or BRAC, to recommend in mid May a list of bases that should be closed to save money.

MacDill, like all military installations in Florida, is not safe.

Woodward called it a political process outside of her hands. Instead, she will focus on improving MacDill, she said.

As for hobbies, the equestrian said it's difficult finding time to focus on anything other than base matters. She said she wants to put in more flight time; she has logged more than 3,500 flight hours in half a dozen military aircraft, including KC-135 refueling tankers.

"My heart smiles every time I look at a KC-135," she said, "sort of like people looking at a 1957 Chevy."

Locals who have met Woodward describe her as friendly and warm.

Tampa developer Al Austin, a member of the state panel assembled by Gov. Jeb Bush to protect Florida's 21 military bases, has met Woodward several times.

He said he anticipates they will work closely in the coming months.

"She has assumed a tough position," Austin said. "It great to see a woman of her ability and character step into such an important role."

[Last modified February 26, 2005, 01:14:15]