Hanson speaks at grad ceremony

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jacob Corbin
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  A former graduate of Columbus Air Force Base pilot training and current deputy director of the legislative liaison directorate spoke to the graduates of Class 09-06 Friday at the Kaye Auditorium here.

Brig. Gen. Scott Hanson, deputy director, legislative liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., thanked the families of the attendees for their support and gave the graduates a few words of advice.

"It's a delight to be here to help celebrate this occasion," he said to the assembled graduates and their guests. The general himself graduated from Columbus AFB in 1985, and then continued on here serving as a first assignment instructor pilot.

The general said the students had worked hard to achieve their goal and accomplish their dreams to earn their Silverwings. He also said that the support their families and friends gave them was essential to their accomplishment.

"The challenges you face are more easily overcome with the support of (your family and friends)," he said. "Whether you have crossed oceans or county lines to be here, I thank you for helping join the BLAZE Team in congratulating them today."

General Hanson encouraged the graduates to continue to achieve, seek out opportunities in everything they do and to always maintain a positive attitude.

"Always maintain a positive attitude, it's the gift of great leaders," General Hanson said. "At the end of the day when individuals are called to march towards the sound of the gun, they will do so willingly and in a much finer fashion if you display a positive attitude."

The graduation also saw the completion of another chapter in Columbus's international training programs, with the graduation of three pilots from Saudi Arabia, two students from Portugal and one Uruguayan student.

"The number of pilots trained and the number of (training) hours flown here in Columbus are among the largest segments we have in the Air Force," the general said. "The fact they have such a large contingent of international partners here training adds a special dimension."