Petersen takes final flight as 80th FTW commander

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Matthew Varga
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  With more than 3,600 hours in five aircraft, spanning training, instruction and even combat hours, Col. David Petersen prepares to hang up his flight suit June 30 after what might be his last flight. 

The colonel chose to commemorate his last flight with the 80th Flying Training Wing by soaring over Wichita Falls in the aircraft he first flew as a rated pilot, a T-38 Talon. 

"The T-38 Talon will always hold a special place for me among the airplanes I have flown," he said. 

Those flying with the colonel on his last flight at the 80th FTW include: Col. Glen Lawson, the Operations Group deputy commander and now the senior U.S. T-38 pilot; Lt. Col. Willem van Gaalen, the Netherlands Senior National Representative and spokesman for the SNR's; and Lt. Adam Pauly, the 80th FTW's most junior officer. 

"To me this symbolizes Sheppard and my career, international and U.S., old and young," Colonel Petersen said, "and I have a tremendous amount of respect for each of them." 

He said the flight was more than just his final flight. He said it was an appropriate conclusion to this stop in his Air Force career. 

"It is the culmination of a great assignment, the perfect end of two great years," he said.
Colonel Petersen will be heading to Brussels, Belgium, for his next assignment as Deputy United States Military Representative to North Atlantic Treaty Organization Military Committee. The colonel will continue to be engaged in international affairs as he was at Sheppard with the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program, however this might be his last flying assignment. He said he hopes he gets the opportunity to fly again at some point. 

"I just hope the Air Force does, too," he said. 

The colonel and his wife, Jacquie said they will miss the uniqueness of commanding a multi-national program. But, they said they will also miss the people in Sheppard's surrounding communities. 

"The wing and community have been so supportive, thank you, I certainly can't say it enough or loud enough," Colonel Petersen said. 

"We loved our time here with ENJJPT, Sheppard and everyone from Wichita Falls. We will miss everyone a great, great deal," Jacquie Petersen said. 

Colonel Petersen has flown five aircraft throughout his career including the T-37, T-38, T-6, AT-38 and F-15C.