Friday, September 13, 2013

Sheppard's 82nd TRW changes command

by Airman 1st Class Jelani Gibson
82nd Training Wing Public Affairs


9/12/2013 - SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Air Force's largest technical training base welcomed a new commander for the 82nd Training Wing Sept 12.

Brig. Gen. Scott Kindsvater took command of the 82nd TRW from outgoing commander, Brig. Gen. Michael Fantini.

Maj. Gen. Leonard Patrick, 2nd Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony, commenting on the unique role Sheppard plays within the Air Education and Training Command.

"It's about the people," Patrick said. "You get to mold Airmen each and every day."

Fantini described Sheppard's mission as an exponential one that has influence across the entire operational Air Force.

"We create a fantastic synergy that nobody can ever stop," he said. "Every sortie on every base is affected by what we do here."

Kindsvater will also be working closely in conjunction with the 80th Flying Training Wing on base, home to the Euro-Nato Joint Jet Pilot Training program; the world's only multi-nationally manned and managed flying training program chartered to produce combat pilots for NATO.

As Kindsvater addressed the hundreds of Airmen on the parade field, he commented on how he felt about taking command of Sheppard.

"Men and women of the 82nd, it is my humble privilege to be your commander," he said. "You are a remarkable organization chock-full of the best our nation has to offer."

Fantini will move on to command Kandahar Airfield (NATO) and the 451st Expeditionary Wing, Kandahar, Afghanistan.

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