Nichols emphasizes teamwork as final graduation speech

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class John Day
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

At his very last Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Graduation, Col. John Nichols, 14th Flying Training Wing Commander, Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, spoke at SUPT Class 16-11’s graduation July 8 at the Kaye Auditorium.

 

After his introduction by Col. James Boster, 14th Operations Group Commander, Nichols began by thanking those in attendance.

 

“It is my distinct honor to be with you this morning to serve as SUPT Class 16-11’s graduation speaker,” Nichols said. “Thanks for that opportunity. I will use this opportunity to speak to this class; hopefully you will remember at least that you were trained here at Columbus AFB, the best place on earth.”

 

He went on to highlight not the speech he was to give, but the accomplishments of the graduates and those who supported them through the 54 weeks of training.

 

“This day is not about any graduation speech I was alluding to earlier or even about the speaker,” Nichols said. “It’s about celebrating you folk’s accomplishments over the last 54 weeks with friends family, loved ones, relatives, classmates and fellow warriors in the room. It is also about reflection on what you will be doing for the United States Air Force.

 

“Service in today’s United States Air Force is absolutely a team sport; nobody gets here on your own,” Nichols said. “I want to extend a heartfelt thank you particularly to any spouses, parents and grandparents in the room. Your contributions to this year are immeasurable.”

 

Nichols told the graduates of the challenges they would face but emphasized that after training, they would soon be directly involved with their specific mission and would face the enemy sooner than they thought.

 

“This is merely step one,” he said. “You will go on to face a bunch of different challenges. Some of you will go on to Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, others will go their B-Course, but eventually all of you will get to a combat ready status where you will deploy forward and do great things for our Air Force and our country.”

 

He explained why our Air Force is the best in the world and how great it is to be a part of something bigger than one individual.

 

“We are the world’s greatest Air Force because Airmen are intelligent, innovative, driven and they are very capable,” Nichols said. “We are a collective team that looks to new frontiers. It is never just about you. It’s about our great nation, about our international officers, about our Air Force Core Values, units, mission, the Airmen who came before you and the Airmen that you will one day lead.”

Nichols inspired the young pilots to be leaders, what that means and the importance of leadership.

 

“Leadership is a gift given by those who follow,” he said. “Lead by setting a professional example on and off duty. Lead by getting to know your people. Lead by not walking past a problem without fixing it. Lead with passion. Be a leader to everyone because it is the strength of the entire team that defines our success.”

 

He finished his last graduation by expressing his pride over being able to serve as the 14th FTW Commander and wished the graduates the best of luck.

 

“Class 16-11, I am very proud to have served with you over these last two years and proud to be your wing commander,” Nichols said. “I wish you great luck in your careers and good hunting down range. May God bless our families; may God bless our friends, but because we won’t, may God have mercy on our enemies.”