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Expeditionary Airmen needed: Innovation, training required

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman John Parie
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. --  Why does a man with the span and control of more than 8,000 Airmen and civilians travel 1,500 miles to address 18 graduates and their families and friends? 

Simply put. To reinforce to the next line of fighter, airlift and bomber pilots this is the "war of their generation." 

Colonel Kent Laughbaum, 355th Fighter Wing commander, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., visited Columbus AFB Feb. 14 to 17 to speak to the Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 08-05. 

His speech to the newest group of silver wing recipients and CAFB members illustrated what he considers necessary to win this war and his thoughts of the enemy. 

"Our Airmen must train hard," the 1984 UPT graduate said. "Many will soon be combat veterans in a war were everything is at stake." 

"The enemy is as smart as he is ruthless," he said. "He is constantly seeking ways to attack our people and our way of life." 

"One of the most important things for us is to seek ways to improve the way we operate all the time," In the same vein the A-10 pilot said. "We must continually search for better ways to innovate more effective training for our Airmen heading to the area of responsibility." 

"Today's expeditionary Airmen ... regardless whether they are security forces, engineers or logisticians; it is essential they are physically, mentally and spiritually fit," said the former weapons school instructor. 

While discussing the requirements of expeditionary Airmen, the Texas A&M graduate mentioned his top priorities as a commander. 

"Developing leaders and the transition from being an airman to a non-commissioned officer is essential to the success of the Air Force mission," said the commander of one of the largest Air Force wings. "Also important with the A-10 and our combat mission is preparing our aircraft and deploying Airmen for the fight." 

His primary concerns didn't stop there, "We deploy a tremendous number of Airmen for combat operations around the world; ensuring the families of our deployed are taken care of is a high priority for our leadership." 

"I wish all the graduates of this class as well as the student currently in training," Colonel Laughbaum said. "God speed and good hunting in the ongoing war."