News

General shares love of flying with FAIPs

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Danielle Hill
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. --  Major Gen. Mark Welsh, Air Education and Training Command vice commander, spoke with more than 100 First Assignment Instructor Pilots from across AETC Saturday. 

The general, a T-37 FAIP himself, ate lunch at the Columbus Club with the FAIPs, and then offered them some advice on their demanding job. FAIPs are recent graduates of Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training who are now the instructors to students that not too long ago were in the same position they were. 

"For leadership to see something in you to entrust you to train new pilots, is a big deal," said General Welsh. 

"It's going to test you. You are going to upgrade quickly, and you are going to be the one calling the shots," he said. "What you are going to do will make you proud. The future you have ahead of you is absolutely incredible. The things you are going to have the opportunity to do and see, the people you are going to have the chance to lead, you cannot even comprehend it now." 

While the general was speaking to a limited audience, his message encompassed more than just a FAIP message. General Welsh spoke about the experiences he has experienced while being in the military. 

General Welsh spoke about fallen comrades that he has encountered throughout his career. He spoke of servicemembers from our sister services and the sacrifices they had made. He spoke of his time in the first Gulf War. 

The general encouraged the FAIPs to get to know their students, to know their spouses' name, their children's names and their hobbies. He told of a story about a young Staff Sergeant that he commanded in South Korea, who was fighting for custody of his young daughter. He became familiar with this Airman's personal tribulations and helped him through his struggles. 

"I came in the Air Force because I was in love with the airplanes. I stayed in because I fell in love with the people," said General Welsh. 

As a command pilot, General Welsh has more than 3,200 flight hours in the F-16, A-10, T-37 and TG-7A. The general ended his speech listing the reasons he loves being an Air Force pilot. A few of the reasons he listed were: the site of the flightline at night, the competition, targets, the handshake with your wingman right after a combat mission, the control of the aircraft, and the feel of a g-suit. "I love knowing the airplane is not just a hunk of metal. It has a personality, a heart, a soul," he said. "I have seen the places angels live. I love the buddies that didn't complete the journey with me. I love knowing they didn't really die. Their hearts turn blue, the Airmen you see on the flightline wear them in their chevrons, and their souls turn silver, you carry them on your wings. I love closing my eyes and seeing their faces and remembering their names. I love knowing I will see them again." 

"When it comes to flying airplanes, the thing I love most is: even though I have never met you...I would die for you and knowing that you feel the same," said General Welsh.