JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – Col. Nichole Scott took command of Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center’s Detachment 9 during a change of command ceremony held June 16 at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
One of 10 detachments serving as the liaison and on-site support between Air Force major commands, Space Force and the AFIMSC enterprise, Detachment 9 plays a critical role in supporting Air Mobility Command. Scott’s team is responsible for synchronizing AMC’s installation and mission support to ensure they are mission ready and capable of enabling airlift and refueling operations anywhere in the world at a moment's notice.
We asked the Hawaii native a few questions about her life, career and thoughts about joining the AFIMSC team.
How many years have you been with the Air Force?
27
Tell us a little about your career leading up to this point.
I'm a career civil engineer officer and have served at multiple base-level units, RED HORSE, and deployed five times to the Middle East. I’ve worked on Pacific Air Forces staff, commanded at the squadron and group levels, and served as a political affairs strategist during my joint assignment at United States Indo-Pacific Command. Most recently, I completed a rewarding tour as an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps detachment commander at the Virginia Military Institute.
What do you like most about serving in the Air Force?
The variety of phenomenal people I've worked with throughout the years at each assignment.
What excites you most about your new role?
Getting back into the AFIMSC portfolio and being able to help the AMC bases accomplish their mission. Things are always changing, and I'm looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and digging in to see where I can help.
How would you describe your leadership approach?
I think of myself as a coalition builder. No single person can accomplish the mission; I value and seek out others' opinions and solutions. Being from Hawaii, I've really appreciated the "Ohana" (Family) approach to leadership. We don't pick the family we're born into just as we don't pick the Air Force family. But once we're part of that family, we take care of each other and hold one another accountable for our actions. We all do our part to row in the same direction.
What do you want the AFIMSC team to know about you?
I'm excited to be a part of this organization. When I was the 375th Civil Engineer Squadron commander at Scott, Det 9 was so helpful to the success of the base. I looked to that leadership team to help get the mission accomplished. That's what I would like to do, to give back and ensure the bases know they have someone to call. I know resources are tight, but we'll do our best to communicate, educate and advocate on their behalf.
What's something people would be surprised to know about you?
Most people think that since I'm from Hawaii that I'm Hawaiian, but I have zero Hawaiian blood in me.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
When I was a young captain, I had many opinions and ideas about how I thought the world should work and the way people viewed it. I had a wise peer tell me one day that I was naive to think that everyone looked at the world with the same lens as I had. It was a wake-up call for me, and I've tried my best to put myself in other people's shoes when I problem solve.
Learn more about Det. 9’s new leader by reading her biography at www.afimsc.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/4214049/nichole-ka-scott/.