Tatum inspires new AF aviators

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Daniel Lile
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Col. Kenneth Tatum Jr., Commander of the Ira C. Eaker Center for Professional Development at Air University, Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, spoke at class 14-13's graduation in Kaye auditorium Aug. 15. He began by telling the new Air Force pilots about the elite team they are joining.

"The Air Force is not giving you your wings today, you have earned them," Tatum said. "Every pilot in the Air Force knows it is not an easy task. I want to tell you about the team you are about to join. I don't mean to insult you because I know you think you know about it, but it's kind of like a medical student graduating to become a doctor. They think they know the impact they are going to have but they don't actually know yet."

Tatum continued to explain to the young pilots about the lessons he personally experienced while part of that elite team.

"The single biggest lesson I've learned in my career is that the success or failure of the team is what really matters," Tatum said. "Each and every Airman should do everything they can to become a qualified expert and leader in their respective specialty, but we must never lose sight of how we bring our individual expertise to the fight as a team. That is what will ensure that our Air Force successfully answers our Nation's call each and every day."

During his career Tatum had the unique privilege to fly the F-117 stealth fighter. He continued to explain to the graduates his experience with the aircraft.

"I was truly privileged and honored to be a part of Team Stealth and to fly the F-117 stealth fighter, the first operational stealth aircraft in the Air Force," Tatum said. "With its groundbreaking technology and proven combat performance, it was an emotional moment when we flew the final sorties and retired the aircraft in 2008, but the entire Team Stealth, its pilots, maintainers and supporters, can rest assured the aircraft's legacy and history lives on in our even more advanced stealth aircraft. Such as the B-2, F-22 and JSF, which are flying in our great Air Force today."

Tatum then spoke on the unique perspective Airmen bring to the fight every day.

"I would tell our newest Air Force pilots that they should remember the author H.G. Wells' famous words that, 'In the air all directions lead everywhere,'" Tatum said. "It has always been a mantra for me that vividly articulates the unique perspective that Airmen bring to the fight. Whether we are describing a single flight's mission or airpower's role in a theater campaign, our pilots and Airmen should never limit their thoughts on the role of airpower."

Tatum concluded his speech by speaking on his time at Columbus AFB prior in his career.

"It was an honor to step foot back onto Columbus AFB and to be a part of Class 14-13's graduation ceremony," Tatum said. "While some of the buildings and airplanes have changed in the last 18 years since I was a T-38A instructor pilot in the 50th Flying Training Squadron, it was readily apparent that the mission remains exactly the same, and the 14th Flying Training Wing is still completely focused on producing the greatest pilots in the world for our Air Force and for our international allies and partners."