New commander takes reins at 19th AF

  • Published
  • By Mark Aaron Locken
  • Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas --  Wing commanders from across the Air Education and Training Command welcomed the new 19th Air Force commander during a change of command ceremony here March 28.

Brig. Gen. Patrick J. Doherty received the guidon for 19th Air Force from Maj. Gen. James B. Hecker as Lt. Gen. Darryl L. Roberson, AETC commander presided. Friends, family, and many Airmen from across the command were in attendance.

“We’re going to look at innovation, at all the ideas that are out there,” Doherty said. “We’ll bring creative ideas forward to make better aviators and operators in the future. We need to recognize and prioritize our people. People come first. They are our number one weapons system.”

Doherty’s previous assignment was as the 82nd Training Wing commander, at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, before coming to JBSA-Randolph. He has flown the F-15 Strike Eagle, T-38 Talon, and the B-52 Stratofortress, compiling more than 3,800 pilot hours. He was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program at Iowa State University in 1987.

Members of the 19th Air Force are responsible for training aircrews, air battle managers and weapons directors, plus Air Force Academy Airmanship programs, and survival, escape, resistance, and evasion.

Headquartered at JBSA-Randolph, 19th AF spans and includes 19 training locations, with 16 total force wings: 10 active duty, one Air Force Reserve, and five Air National Guard units. The organization includes more than 30,000 personnel who operate more than 1,350 aircraft from 29 different aircraft models.

“He went on to successfully command at every level of command available to him in the Air Force while still finding a unique way to care for every Airman and to leave a long-lasting positive impact on their lives and families,” Roberson said about Doherty. “I’m going to ask you to keep the throttles pushed forward as you lead the mighty men and women of the 19th Air Force. We are your wingmen. Airpower starts here!”

The numbered air force was reactivated Oct. 1, 2014.