14th FTW/CC speaks at Class 10-07 graduation

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jacob Corbin
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  The commander of the 14th Flying Training Wing offered words of advice and congratulations to the members of Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 10-07 at their graduation April 2 in the Kaye Auditorium.

Col. Roger Watkins, 14th FTW commander, summarized his speech with three "p's" - pioneers, perseverance and the pursuit of excellence.

The colonel started out by telling the story of the Wright brother's first flights and posing a question to the audience.

"What motivated them to think they could fly," Colonel Watkins asked. "Then, what drove them to continue when they failed again, and again?"

He then went on to describe the exploits of other pioneers of aviation, including Maj. Gen. William "Billy" Mitchell, Maj. Gen. Chuck Yeager and Gen. Curtis LeMay.

Colonel Watkins said these were some of the pioneers who had perseverance in the pursuit of excellence.

"Today, when we pin on your silver wings, you are going to join a very small group of Air Force pilots," Colonel Watkins said. "We are going to ask some incredible things of you in the coming months and years. Continue the pioneering spirit and the perseverance that got you here.

"We are all standing on the shoulders of giants. Starting with Orville and Wilbur Wright and going through the years. I don't know what you're going to discover, or what accomplishments you're going to make, but I know you're going to do both."