ENJJPT grad takes command of 80th FTW 20 years later

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Candy Miller
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Sheppard welcomed Col. Kevin Schneider as the new commander of the 80th Flying Training Wing, home to the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program, during a change of command ceremony July 1. 

A 1989 graduate of ENJJPT, Colonel Schneider said he looks forward to bringing what he's learned throughout his career back to the where it started. 

"When I was a student here I knew the training was unmatched," he said. He also said after 20 years in the Air Force "I've come to appreciate ENJJPT even more." 

Maj. Gen. Gregory Feest, 19th Air Force commander and presiding officer, said the 80th is a "world class international flying training wing" and ENJJPT trains the world's finest combat pilots. 

"Colonel Schneider is the perfect leader for the 80th FTW with outstanding accomplishments," he said. "I look forward to the things that will undoubtedly come from ENJJPT in the next two years." 

Colonel Schneider said he knows he has a lot to live up to but he's thrilled to do it. 

"(I'm forced) to fill some very big shoes," he said. "But I'm thrilled to be here." 

He said when he learned he was coming to Sheppard he received several phone calls. 

"The first thing I heard from all of them was Sheppard has a world class community partnership," he said. He also said the environment of Sheppard sets him up for success. 

"We operate as a team and we succeed as allies," the colonel said. 

The outgoing 80th FTW Commander Col. David Petersen, who has served at Sheppard since August 2007, said Colonel Schneider is a perfect fit to carry the heavy responsibility of training combat pilots. 

"(The 80th Flying Training Wing is) replenishing combat capability, ensuring the world we know and love continues to be the world we know and love," he said. "Because of the work you do, I absolutely pity our enemies." 

Colonel Schneider was previously the vice commander of the 388th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah.