Blazing a trail: ENJJPTs 1st female flying training squadron commander

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jelani Gibson
  • 82nd TRW
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  As the roar of a jet cuts through the pale azure sky, it slowly becomes a speck in the horizon as it climbs higher in altitude. For Lt. Col. Andrea Themely, the first-ever female commander of a flying training squadron in the 32-year history of the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program, the rumble of jet engines across the Texoma skies sounds like home.

Themely, who took command of the 89th Flying Training Squadron last December, knew early on in life that she wanted to pursue a career in aviation. Her father, a civilian Cessna C150 pilot, helped foster her love of flight.

"I've wanted to be a pilot since I was a little girl," Themely said.

As both a squadron commander and fighter pilot, she is among a minority in one of the most challenging positions to obtain in the Air Force. Although her current position is noteworthy in a historical sense, Themely takes a humble approach to what she does.

"I just think of myself as a pilot," Themely said. "Being a woman never factored into it for me."

Pilots who train at Sheppard Air Force Base during the 55-week ENJJPT course become pilots not just for the Air Force, but for NATO, and the bigger international community as well.

"I love working with the students," Themely said.

At ENJJPT, some of Themely's favorite parts of the job include the interaction with the students while teaching them the concepts of aviation and flying.

"They can accomplish something successfully," Themely said. "It's rewarding to see that."

Themely cites the transformation that the students make as key to the overall success of the program as well.

"We take them from civilians and turn them into pilots," Themely said.

The fact ENJJPT involves airmen from 13 different countries training together as one unit is what Themely thinks makes the course so unique.

"There is diversity in tactics," Themely said. "This keeps us with a better product endgame."

Themely believes that as time goes on, more joint forces like these will form.

"Working with NATO forms bridges that we can use later on in life," Themely said.

Themely's favorite moment is when the students walk across the graduation stage and pin on their coveted wings to their uniforms.

"It's a very proud moment," Themely said. "It's a privilege to know you've been a part of their training."