14th FTW/CV addresses graduates of class 09-05

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jacob Corbin
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  "Continue to stand up and show the initiative to serve," was the message the Class 09-05 Graduation guest speaker passed on to the assembled graduates at the Kaye Auditorium Feb. 13.

Col. Jeff Dunn, 14th Flying Training Wing vice commander, said it takes courage, sacrifice and valor to both live by our Air Force's core values of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do; and to continue to answer our nations call to service.

"These men could've done anything with their lives," he said. "But they chose to stand up serve their country in a time of war. I want them to continue to be the guys that are the first to stand up, raise their hands and say 'here I am, send me.' Those are the kind of men and women we want as officers."

The colonel illustrated his points with three stories, citing President Abraham Lincoln who said, "if you want to make a point, tell a story."

He first told the story of the courage of Capt. Benjamin Davis, one of the first African American men to train at Tuskegee and become a U.S. pilot.

Following that he told the story of the sacrifice of Lt. Col. Gene Smith, who spent five and a half years in prisoner of war camp before returning home with honor and continuing to serve.

The colonel wrapped up with the story of the valor of Capt. John Groves, a former Columbus Air Force Base graduate who attempted four times to rescues the nine members of another helicopter who went down in Iraq while flying in a two-ship formation with him. Captain Groves succeeded on the fourth attempt by flying completely blacked out and landing 200 feet from the downed aircraft, helping to rescues nine Air Force members.

Colonel Dunn said these stories exemplify the characteristics needed and wanted in today's Air Force officers and Airmen.

The colonel also thanked the families of the graduates for the huge impact they'd had on their lives.

"We had your (the family members) graduates for a year," Colonel Dunn said. "We did our best to train them. But you, you had them for the past 20 or so years. You're the one who ... did the hard work. You gave us these incredible young Americans, your Air Force and your country, are indebted to you."

Colonel Dunn made special mention of the sacrifices Air Force spouses make.
"If anyone tells you these (graduates) have a hard job, then they don't understand what it's like to be a military spouse," he said.

"These wings they are about to get, they are as much yours (the spouses) as they are theirs. You have my permission to never let them forget that either," he quipped.