A retired two-star Air Force general has been named Vice President of Military Affairs for the Abilene Chamber of Commerce. Major General John Nichols, USAF (Ret.), of Sun City in Georgetown, Texas, will begin his new role on July 7, 2025.
Maj. Gen. Nichols, a 32-year combat veteran and bomber pilot, will serve as the lead in directing military affairs strategies with support from a realigned Military Affairs Council Board on behalf of the Chamber and its partners.
Nichols brings extensive knowledge of Air Force operations and missions to the role. Through his military career, Nichols spent more time at Dyess AFB than any other assignment.
“We are thrilled to welcome John and his wife Michelle to the Abilene community, and to support his work as he begins the next chapter in MAC’s storied history,” said Greg Blair, Chairman of the Military Affairs Committee. “I met John 17 years ago when he was Commander of the 28th Bomb Squadron. With his intelligence and superb leadership abilities, I wasn’t surprised by his remarkable Air Force career,” Blair added. “This is a crucial time for the Abilene/Dyess community and John is the right person at the right time to lead us to greater heights.”
“My wife and I are thrilled about returning to Abilene as the VP of Military Affairs. I look forward to working with the Chamber, the City of Abilene, the Development Corporation of Abilene, USAF, and DoD to continue to further the combat and support missions of Dyess AFB,” said Nichols.
“Protecting and sustaining the B-1 and C-130 missions while assisting in the bed-down of the new B-21 Raider stealth bomber mission are my top priorities,” Nichols added. “There is so much important work happening in Abilene — from bed-down of the USAF’s newest bomber to the establishment of the AI data center and innovation taking place among our colleges and universities — it’s an incredible time to be part of this awesome community.”
Maj. Gen. Nichols retired from the United States Air Force in September 2024 with extensive experience across numerous Air Force and Joint positions. After receiving his commission through the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1992, Nichols attended Intelligence Officer training at Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, Texas after which he served four subsequent assignments in the U.S. and Europe.
Nichols then attended pilot training at Vance AFB in Enid, Oklahoma and served in numerous warfighting and training organizations including two assignments in the B-1 bomber at Dyess AFB. He has commanded at the squadron, group, and wing-levels including command of the 14th Flying Training Wing at Columbus AFB, Mississippi and the B-2 stealth 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB, Missouri.
Following a Pentagon assignment in an acquisition position responsible for a $158 billion portfolio, Nichols served as the Director of Global Operations at United States Strategic Command in Omaha, Nebraska where he ensured the day-to-day readiness of America’s strategic deterrent forces including bombers, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and ballistic missile submarines.
Maj. Gen. Nichols is a 2011 graduate of the National War College at Fort Lesley McNair in Washington, D.C. and is a command pilot with over 2,500 hours, including 660 combat hours over Afghanistan and Iraq.
“We are delighted to welcome John and his family to our great, growing community,” said Doug Peters, CEO of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce. “John’s Air Force experience, his passion for our men and women in uniform, and his fondness for Abilene and Dyess Air Force Base made John an obvious and excellent choice to lead the Military Affairs partnership.”
He and his wife, Michelle, have three children and six grandchildren.
With Nichols at the helm, the Military Affairs Council is poised to strengthen its mission of championing Dyess Air Force Base and supporting the men and women who serve. His leadership marks an exciting new chapter for Abilene’s longstanding commitment to military excellence.