82 TRW training ops director to retire after 30 years March 1 Published Feb. 15, 2013 By Dan Hawkins 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- After 30 years of working in the training environment, the 82nd Training Wing's director of training operations, Patsy Klein, is retiring from civil service effective Mar. 1. A master instructor with a bachelor's degree in occupational education and a minor in electronics, Klein has worked in multiple positions throughout the wing during her 17-year tenure at Sheppard. She also spent 13 years in Illinois, working at the now-closed Chanute Air Force Base for 10 years and in Champaign for three years. In her current position, Klein is the training advisor to the 82nd TRW commander and advises on the administration and management of the wing's three training groups. She is also in charge of the training pipeline for 102-initial skills training courses and provides oversight for training resource requirements and production issues. "Ms. Patsy Klein is one of a kind...I have greatly appreciated her expert council during my tenure as the 82nd TRW commander," said Brig. Gen. Michael Fantini, 82nd TRW commander. "She greatly built up my awareness on what a fantastic operation we have here at Sheppard and across our 61 worldwide detachments; she will be missed, there's no doubt." Fantini went on to say, "Her commitment and leadership for our Air Force and more importantly our 82nd TRW mission...to Train and Inspire Airmen, has been a major part of our success in building and developing the most highly qualified Airmen in the world to do our nation's business." Her management support of the largest Foreign Military Sales case in United States history laid the foundation for the Royal Saudi Air Force concept of operations, resulting in the training of 4,000 Royal Saudi cadets. Other initiatives Klein oversees at Sheppard include faculty development training, the International Military Student Organization (including the Royal Saudi Air Force initiative), wing registrar's office, military training support and training operations support. Klein, who started out her career as an aircraft electrical systems training instructor at Chanute, came to Sheppard in April, 1996, and was assigned to the 365th Training Squadron in the fighter avionics course. After filling roles as a single point manager, training development chief and flight chief in the 365th TRS, she moved on to the 362nd Training Squadron for two years in February, 2002 as the training support flight chief. In February, 2004, Klein moved up to the wing staff. She was the chief of training evaluations until February, 2008, when she was named as the director of training operations. A reception to honor Klein's service will be held Mar. 1 at 11:30 a.m. in the 82nd TRW conference room.