Hertog: Sheppard right on target

  • Published
  • By George Woodward
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 82nd Training Wing's focus on delivering technically-skilled Airmen who are also combat ready is right on target, said the 2nd Air Force commander Oct. 5-7 during her visit to the base. 

Maj. Gen. Mary Kay Hertog said that because many Airmen could deploy within months of arriving at their first duty station, programs like Warrior Weekend Challenge and the enhanced physical training program are vital to build on combat skills learned in Basic Military Training and the skills they learn in technical training. 

"These Airmen could be in combat in a matter of weeks or months, and they need to be combat capable," she said. "Basic Military Training provides the basics. Technical training is the bluing process--it takes what Airmen learn in basic and makes it stick." 

General Hertog not only got a briefing on the wing's enhanced fitness program, she participated in a session herself, and is considering making it a benchmark for her staff. 

While building combat skills is vital, technical training is still the 82nd's core mission. General Hertog got a close-up view of the diverse training missions that happen here, touring the F-22 Maintenance Training Facility, nuclear and conventional munitions training, civil engineering and logistic training and trainer development. 

Medical training was also on the agenda. The general was briefed on the ongoing challenges of moving the 882nd Training Group and medical training to San Antonio. She also got a good look at the 485,000 square feet of training space that will be vacant when the move is complete. 

"The wing and the 882nd Training Group have done a great job in planning this move without lowering our training standards or slowing down the pipeline," she said. "I was very impressed." 

She also acknowledged the significant reduction in graduates the move represents at Sheppard, and said part of her job is filling that gap. 

"Air Education and Training Command and 2nd Air Force work together to make sure we put training missions in the right place to ensure their success," General Hertog said. "Sheppard is an outstanding training environment with great facilities, and more importantly great people." 

And while she was impressed with the training technology, the facilities and the base itself, she said meeting the people behind the mission is always the best part of base visits. 

"Everyone here knows their job--producing combat-ready Airmen--and why it's so important," General Hertog said. "You have a great team here. 

"Our Airmen have all made a commitment to serve, and that makes them pretty special in my book. And the men and women teaching and supporting these Airmen impact the Air Force everyday as they grow their replacements and the Air Force's future leaders."