News

Former graduate makes return visit to CAFB

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Danielle Hill
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. --  The Director of the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff Executive Action Group, Brig. Gen. Walter Givhan, made a return visit to Columbus AFB Friday.

He was the keynote speaker at graduation for Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training class 08-09, the last full class to fly the retired T-37 Tweet.

General Givhan also brought along the message of Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne and Chief of Staff of the Air Force T. Michael Moseley to share with CAFB. The SECAF and CSAF have three main priorities: to win the Global War of Terror, to develop Airmen and prepare for tomorrow's challenges. The Air Force has now been in a continuous fight for the last 18 years; in fact more than 200,000 Airmen fill combat taskings everyday.

Having earned his silver wings at Columbus in 1982, the general said this trip "was like a homecoming." reflected Gen. Givhan. He remembered that his mother pinned his the wings of his uncle wore during WWII.

"It is great to be back at Columbus and it is great to be a part of such a special day," said General Givhan.

As a former T-37 instructor pilot with more than 1,000 hours, speaking to the last full class to fly the Tweet was especially significant for the general. He was a T-37 instructor pilot here from 1982 to 1986. For this connection with the class he told them, "I think your wings may shine a little brighter because you mastered the mighty Tweet."

The seasoned aviator offered words of advice to the newest graduates. For those just starting training or currently in training he said to "work hard, take it one day at a time, stay focused and never give up." Although it is said to be the toughest year of a young pilot's Air Force life, the general said not to diminish the accomplishment of graduating from pilot training.

"Many of you know that you will go directly in support of combat operations, and you know you have to do everything you can to win that fight. You may be using old equipment, but you may be using that equipment in new ways to address the challenges you are going to face out there. You may be using new equipment," said General Givhan. "We also will be constantly changing the way we do things. Technology, content of operations and organizational changes are ever evolving. You must constantly be prepared."

"We don't do anything in the Air Force if we don't do it with a Total Force. We do it as a Joint Force. We also do it with our global strategic partners." said General Givhan. The Total Force refers to the combination of Active Duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen working together to accomplish the Air Force's goals. The Joint Force refers to the combination of our sister services and our allied countries are our global strategic partners.

Although the general is no stranger to Columbus AFB, the base has had many facelifts since he was stationed here. The amenities the BLAZE Team enjoys today were not here when he was here in the 1980s. The one thing which has not changed is the outstanding people CAFB has.

"I want to complement all the men and women of Columbus AFB on the job they are doing on a daily basis to contribute to our Air Force and our country. What you do is extremely important; sometimes it is easy to forget that at a small base but what you all do here is incredibly important," said General Givhan.