Col. Col. Bruce “Munch” Avriett, commander of the 552nd Air Control Group at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., died Monday. He took command of the unit July 2022. (552nd Air Control Group/Facebook)
The commander of an air control group at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., has died, the Air Force announced late Monday.
“It is with heavy hearts that today we report the loss of Col. Bruce ‘Munch’ Avriett, the 552nd Air Control Group commander,” Col. Kenneth Voigt, commander of the 552nd Air Control Wing, said in a statement Monday. “So many people have reached out to share their condolences and special memories of Col. Avriett, and it has meant a lot to all of us in the Wing.”
A spokesperson for Tinker on Tuesday did not provide information beyond the statement.
Avriett commissioned July 2000 after graduating from The Citadel in South Carolina, according to his official service record and LinkedIn page. As an air battle manager, Avriett earned the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals and five Air Medals, among other awards.
In 2017, he led the 965th Airborne Air Control Squadron on a mission to provide humanitarian relief amid devastating flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey in Houston. The squadron established communication lines for local, state and federal agencies on the scene, according to a news release from the time. The lines helped connect dozens of aircraft to reach critically ill survivors.
As commander of the 552nd Air Control Group since July 2022, Avriett led a unit responsible for operations, maintenance, training and combat support for three control and reporting centers, according to the wing’s website.
“He was a great commander and teammate to the 552nd Air Control Wing and Team Tinker,” Voigt said. “At this time of great loss it is vital that we provide as much support to the family as possible. If you are an airman affected by this loss and in need of support please reach out. Resources are available.”
The group, which includes squadrons focused on air control, training, operations support and networks, also provides software and ground communications for the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System fleet, the website states.
Stars and Stripes reporter Rose L. Thayer contributed to this report.
