Retired general, former IP speaks at Class 11-01 graduation Published Oct. 29, 2010 By Staff Sgt. Jacob Corbin 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- A retired general officer and former 50th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot recently spoke to the graduates and guests of Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 11-01. Lt. Gen. Walter Buchanan was the guest speaker for the event, speaking about his time here at Columbus AFB, giving advice to the graduates and offering other words of wisdom to the assembled crowd. "Coming back here (to Columbus AFB) is like coming home," the general said. "I feel very comfortable here." General Buchanan explained it was here that he met his wife, the daughter of a retired master sergeant that would come to be the general's mentor in the years to come. "Through him (his father in-law) I learned that it was the staff sergeants, tech sergeants and frontline Airmen that are what keep the Air Force going," General Buchanan said. "(As an example) crew chiefs know more about that airplane (you'll fly) than you'll ever know. You literally give the "hand receipt" for your life to that crew chief every time you step to the aircraft." The general also offered some advice to the newly-graduated pilots and young officers. "This is what you've been training for since commission," he said. "Remember there are people that are depending on you to do your jobs." He also had some special advice for those selected, like he was, to become first assignment instructor pilots. "You will mature and grow as a pilot faster than your peers -because you'll have to," he said. "To be able to teach someone you have to understand it better than they do. You need to be moments ahead of the plane, to anticipate if you need to take control." The general said his assignment as a FAIP was some of the best and most rewarding time he had in his career. "I loved him assignment here," he said.