Former 14th FTW commanders return to Columbus

  • Published
  • By Sonic Johnson
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Seven former wing commanders of the 14th Flying Training Wing and two former vice commanders reunited at Columbus Air Force Base Sept. 4-6 to help celebrate the historic graduation of Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 14-14. Throughout the week, the commanders were present for many events, including the once-in-a century occurrence of the 14th FTW's SUPT Class 14-14's graduation in 2014. The wing's 2014 theme, Heritage to Horizons, was clearly demonstrated with the reunion of the former commanders, all very senior aviators, to help celebrate the graduation of the Air Force's newest aviators of class 14-14. Heritage Week began Wednesday with the graduation of Airman Leadership School Class 14-6. Twice a year, instructors for the Airman Leadership School at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, travel to Columbus to teach the five-week course to Team BLAZE Airmen. On Thursday morning, the Wing Commander Reunion kicked off with a welcome session where the former commanders and their spouses met the current senior leaders of the 14th FTW, previewed the schedule of events for the rest of the week, received a Wing Mission Brief tailored to highlight many of the changes that have occurred over the last decade, and finally assembled for photographs. Afterward, the visiting commanders were joined by 17 Columbus AFB Wingmen for a luncheon in the historic Happy Lounge at the Columbus Club. The Happy Lounge was the selected venue as Happy Irby was one of the original four CAFB Wingmen. As the formers commanders and Wingmen gathered for lunch, the spouses journeyed downtown to the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau to meet their host for a luncheon and downtown tour, CCVB Executive Director and CAFB Wingman Nancy Carpenter. The nine spouses enjoyed lunch and a tour at Rosedale with host and owner Leigh Imes. Following the informal luncheon, the ladies enjoyed an afternoon viewing the new and old sights of historic Columbus. Later that evening, the reunion group was the guest of honor at a Base Community Council sponsored community reception at Jimmy Graham's Camphouse. The former commanders, 14th FTW group commanders, squadron commanders, agency chiefs and chief master sergeants were joined by special guest Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, guest speaker for SUPT Class 14-14's graduation. The next morning started with SUPT Class 14-14's graduation breakfast, during which Welsh took a moment to address the families of the graduates. He then spoke from the heart to all pilots during the formal graduation ceremony. Commanders and their spouses were then taken to the base golf course and were joined by 18 downtown civic leaders for lunch to play a quick nine holes. Later Friday evening, the commanders and spouses attended the formal Air Force Birthday Ball, where the Air Force Global Strike Command Commander and former 14th FTW Commander, Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilson, gave the keynote Heritage to Horizons speech for the evening. Whether it was a vintage AT-6 Texan I flanked by a new T-6 Texan II or a former wing commander flanked by the Air Force's newest minted pilots, the wing's Heritage to Horizons theme was prevalent all week at Columbus AFB.