New AF advisor arrives on base Published June 24, 2008 By Capt. Gabe Johnson 162nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs TUCSON, Ariz. -- The 162nd Fighter Wing's new Air Force Advisor reported for duty June 17. Lt. Col. John Bobroski hails from Painsville, Ohio. His last assignment was as director of operations for the 13th Fighter Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan. His callsign "Gabby" is the namesake of the famous World War II fighter ace Francis S. "Gabby" Gabreski. "It's a play on our last names sounding alike - Gabreski... Bobroski," said the colonel. Colonel Bobroski is also no stranger to combat. The F-16 pilot has more than 2,600 hours in the aircraft and last summer he deployed to Iraq where his unit dropped more ordinance than any other F-16 unit during Operation Iraqi Freedom; 130 bombs in four months. At the 162nd, Bobroski will use his 18 years of experience to fulfill a dual role; one as the unit's Air Force Advisor and another as the 56th Operations Group Detachment 1 commander in charge of four active duty instructor pilots already assigned to the wing. As Air Force Advisor, Bobroski's primary function is to assist the 162nd with keeping up to date with the Air Force's latest policies and procedures. Most importantly, he will help the wing prepare for its Operational Readiness Inspection scheduled for 2010. "It's my goal to help the wing earn an excellent or an outstanding rating," said Bobroski. "This will be my first experience with the Air National Guard and I am really looking forward to learning about the Guard and its role in the Total Force." The assignment to Tucson is Bobroski's second to Arizona. He was an instructor pilot at the 308th Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base from 1998 through 2001. "It's great to be back," said Colonel Bobroski, "but we are adjusting to the heat here since it's much cooler at Misawa." Bobroski and wife Stephanie, have three daughters; Jenna, Corey and Megan ages 12, 14 and 16 respectively.