Lee outlines three pillars

Published May 5, 2017
By Senior Airman John Day
14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The Air Education and Training Command Director of Safety visited Columbus April 28, 2017, to speak to the graduates of Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 17-08.

“What a pleasure it is to be here,” Lee said. “It is a privilege to be a part of it.”

Lee began his speech by congratulating the graduates and thanking those in attendance and acknowledging their efforts to get the 16 new pilots to graduation.

“You are now a part of an unbelievable fraternity,” Lee said. “That fraternity is one you saw this morning. Each of you are one in 14,812 in the United States that gets to be an Air Force pilot.”

The colonel imparted three pillars of wisdom to the newest pilots. With each pillar, he also gave a story from his career, explaining each pillar’s relevance.

“Learn your craft,” Lee said. “Be the best you can be at what you are. Become a subject matter expert. Things are going to happen you can’t control. Your training here is what is going to carry you through those times.”

Lee stressed the importance of a warrior mindset.

“The second thing I want you to remember is to be a warrior,” Lee said. “We are a country at war. In six to nine months, many of you are going to be deployed executing that mission. Have that warrior attitude. Be the person others want to work with and work for.”

His last piece of advice was to have fun.

“My third pillar of advice is to have fun,” Lee said. “Twenty-nine years ago, when I graduated from pilot training, never did I think I would be able to do any of the unbelievable things I’ve gotten to do. Be excited and proud to put the uniform on and come to work every day.”

Lee then took the time to go over each assignment for the graduates and explain the amazing things each aircraft is capable of.

He closed the speech with another congratulations and an expression of pride in the members of SUPT Class 17-08.

“I want to congratulate you on your pilot graduation,” Lee said. “I can’t wait to see the awesome things you will do in the next 20 to 30 years. I wish you the best and salute you.”

Lee was commissioned in April 1988 as a distinguished graduate from the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps at Brigham Young University, Utah, where he majored in cartography. He earned his pilot wings at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, and was later assigned to fly the O/A-10 Thunderbolt II at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. He was selected to fly the F-15E Strike Eagle at Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, and served as an exchange officer with the U.S. Navy, flying the F/A-18 Hornet and T-34C Turbomentor at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. After U.S. Army Command and General Officer School, Lee returned to fly the F-15E at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.

He has served as commander at the squadron and group levels. He has deployed as a Battalion Air Liaison Officer with the First Cavalry Division during Operation Desert Storm, and has flown sorties in support of operations Desert Shield, Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle, with more than 300 combat hours.

Lee leads flight, ground and explosive mishap prevention programs for nearly 62,000 command personnel charged to recruit, train and educate more than 293,000 people annually via Air Force Recruiting Service, Air University and 2nd and 19th Air Forces.

His safety oversight includes the command’s 23 wings, 12 bases and five geographically separated groups, as well as nearly 1,370 trainer, fighter and mobility aircraft.