Cyberspace commander speaks to graduates

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Danielle Powell
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. --  "You can never be less than you are on the inside. And you can never be more than you are on the inside," said Brig. Gen. Mike McClendon, Commander, Air Force Global Cyberspace Integration Center, Langley AFB, Va. 

General McClendon was the keynote speaker at the graduation for Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 08-01, which graduated last Friday at the Kaye Auditorium. 

"It is not about the wings you wear, or the patch you wear. It is about who you are on the inside. The BLAZE idea goes hand-in-hand with this idea. Building leaders, advancing integrity, service before self and excellence in all you do; that is all about character" said the general. 

As a graduate of pilot training at Columbus AFB, General McClendon's roots have continued here. His son, Capt. Jeremiah McClendon, a KC-135 pilot, is now an instructor pilot in the 41st Flying Training Squadron. 

"This is the first time I have been back in an official capacity. It is particularly meaningful for me to come back to Columbus, for me as an alumnus. It is meaningful to see my son, who is an IP in the 41st FTS, and knowing that he has a role in training these great pilots. I am doubly pleased as a parent and as an officer," said General McClendon.
As the commander of the AF Global Cyberspace Integration Center, the general has a lot to say about the role that cyberspace plays in today's Air Force. General McClendon says "There is a lot of cyberspace out there, beyond just computers." 

"Almost every Airman uses a computer to do their daily job. So it is figuring out when you are allowing the enemy access to your files because of poor security practices. We are trying to train every Airman. It begins with boot camp as soon as they come into the Air Force, and we will train all in cyber awareness and cyber sensitivity," said the general.
Every Airman in today's Air Force begins in the Air Education and Training Command, which is where the cyberspace education is beginning. As Airmen branch out and continue to the parent commands, the continued cyberspace sensitivity needs to be a part of their training, said the general. 

"For the Columbus AFB personnel, this is an exciting base because the pilots that are coming through here are just beginning their careers, and that is the mission of the base. In the big scheme of things, I am at the end of my career and these guys are just beginning theirs. If they had half an idea of what they are going to experience and what they are going to do for the Air Force, they wouldn't be able to sleep at night. And this is a great environment to be in," said General McClendon.