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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Alexa Reed

Colonel Bob Gmyrek (Ret.) was raised in Western Massachusetts and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1969. Bob continued his education and received his Master of Science degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California in 1974. During the Vietnam War, Bob joined the Air Force to pursue his dream of flying. He graduated from Officer Training School in 1970 and commissioned directly into the Air Force.

Bob's first assignment was as an operational flight officer in Southeast Asia. Over the next 14 years of operational flying, he achieved 3,650+ flight hours in five different aircraft and ultimately certified flight crews for Strategic Air Command's FB-111A nuclear deterrence mission. He has great flying memories, especially in the FB-111A. In 1984, Bob transitioned to staff and command positions. He became the Acquisition Branch Chief for the B-2 Stealth Bomber program at SAC headquarters, where he had a foundational influence on the program. From its early beginnings, he assisted in the design and coordination of the B-2 fuel system, hydraulic system and engine requirements.

In 1987, Bob continued his career as the Deputy Commander for B-2 Operations at Whiteman AFB, MO. There he managed the $650M B-2 Bomber deployment and construction plan and was responsible for organizing 2,800 military personnel. He coordinated the B-2 deployment plans at national levels and with the Assistant Secretary of Defense.

Bob's most memorable assignments took him around the world, beginning in 1992 as he served as the 85th Wing Vice Commander at Keflavik Naval Air Station in Iceland. Continuing his passion for diplomacy, Bob spent 1994-1996 training to serve as Air Attach?© for the United States Embassy in Oslo, Norway. This last assignment as an Attach?© carried him to his retirement from Active Duty in 2000.

After retiring from the Air Force, Bob continued to serve his country for 20+ years as a Government support contractor, spending the vast majority of that time in the Air Force Combat Identification Program Office, which eventually transformed into the Kill Chain Integration Branch in the Special Programs Division at Hanscom Air Force Base. He truly loves the people and the mission of the Kill Chain Integration Branch. Bob retires from his second career supporting US aviation programs as a Senior Systems and Test Engineer for the Special Projects Division at Hanscom, AFB. His last and one of his favorite programs was the Interim Full Motion Video (IFMV) program, which provided a critical FMV solution for the USMC F-35B five years ahead of initial government plans.

Col Bob Gmyrek served his country in Air Force for 50+ years with the highest distinction, both as an Air Force officer and as a Government contractor. Col Gmyrek has made immeasurable impacts throughout his years of service. His expertise and presence will be missed by his coworkers. Congratulations on your well-earned retirement, Sir!