Lieutenant Colonel James W. Lambertsen
Detachment Commander
Professor of Air Force Studies
As the Detachment Commander, Lt Col James W. Lambertsen oversees the training of over 100 officer candidates at The University of Alabama and three neighboring colleges: Marion Military Institute, Stillman College and the University of West Alabama. Lambertsen also holds the position of Professor of Air Force Studies, teaching cadets on subjects including the Foundation of the United States Air Force, Leadership Studies and National Security Affairs.
Lt Col Lambertsen earned his commission in 2006 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps upon graduation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. He holds a master’s degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle (2011) and a master’s degree in Military Operational Art & Science from Air Command and Staff College (2019).
With over 3,500 hours of flight time, Lt Col Lambertsen is a seasoned senior pilot, specializing in airlift and special operations aircraft. He has completed seven combat deployments in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, and Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. In addition to his primary responsibilities, Lambertsen has served as a Presidential Advance Agent, coordinating the movements of Air Force One worldwide. Recently, he served on the Air University Staff, managing the Air University Fellows Intermediate Developmental Education Program.
Captain Gabriela A. Steger
Recruitment Officer
Assistant Professor of Air Force Studies
Capt Gabriela Steger serves as an Assistant Professor of Air Force Studies at Detachment 010, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala. In this capacity, she is responsible for advising, mentoring, and evaluating the leadership capabilities of more than 100 officer candidates at The University of Alabama and three additional crosstown colleges: Marion Military Institute, Stillman College, and the University of West Alabama. Capt Steger also serves as the Detachment Recruiting Officer, identifying and recruiting highly eligible candidates for participation in the Detachment’s program.
Capt Steger, originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, earned her commission in 2018 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps upon graduating from The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala. She attained her master’s degree in International Relations from Troy University in Troy, Ala in 2023.
Capt Steger is an experienced Intelligence Officer who has supported MQ-9 Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) operations at Whiteman Air Force Base (AFB), MO and F-16 and MQ-9 intelligence operations at Holloman AFB, N.M. Prior to her current position, Capt Steger was Assistant Director of Operations, 54th Operations Support Squadron, Holloman AFB, N.M.
Captain Daniel J. Hanel
Education Officer
Assistant Professor of Air Force Studies
Capt Daniel J. Hanel serves as the Assistant Professor of Air Force Studies at Detachment 010. In this role, he advises, mentors and evaluates the leadership capabilities of over 100 officer candidates at The University of Alabama and three neighboring colleges: Marion Military Institute, Stillman College, and the University of West Alabama. Capt. Hanel also acts as the Detachment Recruiting Officer, identifying and recruiting highly eligible candidates for the program.
Capt Hanel received his commission in 2016 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps after graduating from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. He holds a master’s degree in Applied Anthropology from the University of North Texas in Denton, obtained in 2023.
With extensive experience, Capt. Hanel has served as a Missile Combat Crew Commander, Instructor, and Emergency War Order Planner, accumulating 13,498 hours on nuclear alert operating the Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile System. He has completed 474 alert days in support of Operation GLOBAL CITADEL and delivered 80 hours of Missile Combat Crew member instruction via simulator.
In his recent role as Emergency War Orders Plans Flight Commander at Francis E. Warren AFB in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Capt. Hanel oversaw and coordinated Wing-wide rapid and Nuclear Tasking Order directed retargeting operations. He managed the creation and distribution of Top Secret and nuclear launch authentication materials while supervising Missile Combat Crew Communications Security for the 90th Missile Wing.
Captain Michael A. Sheck
Operations Officer
Assistant Professor of Air Force Studies
Capt Michael A. Sheck serves as an Assistant Professor of Air Force Studies at Detachment 010. He advises, mentors and evaluates the leadership capabilities of over 100 officer candidates at The University of Alabama and three neighboring colleges: Marion Military Institute, Stillman College, and the University of West Alabama. Capt. Sheck also acts as the Detachment Recruiting Officer, identifying and recruiting highly eligible candidates for the program.
Capt Sheck received his commission in 2016 through Officer Training School following 9 years of enlisted service where he served as a Korean Linguist. He holds a master’s degree in Global Security Studies from Angelo State University.
Capt Sheck has performed duties as a Mission Operations Commander, Instructor, and Geopolitical Advisor. As the Iran Geopolitical Team Chief at USCENTCOM Headquarters, he was selected to serve on both the commander’s Congressional Support Staff and as the Middle East region Senior Intelligence Analyst, travelling to countries including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and throughout Europe to promote U.S. national security interests abroad. As Mission Operations Commander, he oversaw the efforts of 147 intelligence analysts during 200+ missions in support of U.S.–South Korea defense efforts in the Indo-Pacific region.
In his most recent role as Chief of Intelligence for Information-Operations at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Capt. Sheck facilitated combined targeting efforts with the Korean Air Force, leveraging his Korean language capability to train 14 host-nation personnel and establishing the first-ever Korean Information Operations Team.
Staff Sergeant Zacharie T. Erck
NCOIC, Officer Accessions Instructor
SSgt Zacharie Erck serves as the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Cadet Actions at Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 010, based at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. In this role, he is tasked with recruiting, motivating, training, educating, and evaluating Air Force officer candidates enrolled in a four-year college-level program. Additionally, he extends these services to candidates at four cross-town schools: University of West Alabama, Stillman College, and Marion Military Institute.
SSgt Erck serves as an Instructor for Detachment cadets. He also supervises Detachment programs concerning cadet and cadre actions, including Vehicle Control, PRAP, Security Manager, Cadet Uniform Issue, and Cadet Commissioning.
SSgt Erck is from Florida and entered the Air Force in July, 2016. Upon completion of Basic Military Training, he graduated from Aerospace Ground Equipment Apprentice Technical School at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas in January 2017. Prior to his current assignment he was the NCOIC, 355th Wing Protocol at Davis-Monthan AFB.
Technical Sergeant Brittany A. Morgan
NCOIC, Adminstrative Actions
TSgt Brittany Morgan serves as the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Administrative Actions at Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 010, based at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. In this role, she is tasked with recruiting, motivating, training, educating, and evaluating Air Force officer candidates enrolled in a four-year college-level program. Additionally, she extends these services to candidates at four cross-town schools: University of West Alabama, Stillman College, and Marion Military Institute.
TSgt Morgan acts as the central point of contact for approximately 135 officer candidates and five active-duty military members on staff. She oversees the flow of information to HQ AFROTC, Air Force Personnel Center, The Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board, and the Pentagon. In addition to her unit support functions, she is responsible for processing and tracking taskers, personnel records, evaluations, decorations, awards, physical fitness, pay and medical records for both officer candidates and detachment personnel.
TSgt Morgan, originally from Tullahoma, Tennessee, enlisted in the Airforce in March 2014. Upon completion of Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB, Texas, she attended technical training as a Knowledge Operations Manager at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. Her assignments include an overseas tour to Thule Air Base, Greenland, along with assignments in Florida and Nevada.
Trista Elmore
Administrative Assistant
(205)348-5900
