Petersen reminisces on tenure as 80th FTW commander

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Valerie Hosea
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  For Col. David Petersen, his tenure as 80th Flying Training Wing commander flew by as fast a T-38 Talon. The colonel has commanded the wing since August 2007. Col. Kevin Schneider will replace him during a change of command ceremony July 1. 

"From having the best gate guards I've seen to its great surrounding community and great people; I will miss Sheppard from top to bottom, the whole gamut," Colonel Petersen said. "Commanding the 80th and ENJJPT, with all of the international people, is an amazing environment that I will greatly miss. It was great to see it, great to learn it and great to live it." 

Colonel Petersen's involvement with the ENJJPT program will be very beneficial to his next assignment at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, he said. 

"I believe working with the ENJJPT program probably played in the decision for me to go there and will aid me in my next position as well," he said. "The acquaintances I have made with our allied countries will be a big help at the NATO Headquarters." 

Colonel Petersen was a part of many remarkable transformations in his two years at Sheppard, he said. 

"Some of the most significant changes made were that there are now two squadrons for the T-38s and T-6s," the colonel said. "From the facility perspective T-6 shelters will be finished soon and we have a commitment for funding the T-38 shelters next year. While these things weren't solely my doing, I felt privileged and am proud to have been a part of it." 

Although Colonel Petersen accomplished numerous things, he wishes that he could've done more. 

"We're working on the military construction process, the maintenance facilities and we definitely need a new operations complex," he said. "We think we're making progress, but it takes time." 

Determination like that and the support of his command is why he said he was nominated for brigadier general at Sheppard. 

"I was very humbled. I had the opportunity to work for some great bosses who've supported me throughout my career. For a long ways back, the commanders of this wing have been promoted. It's the great Airmen and great team that allow a leader to look good. It was an honor to work with such a great team here at Sheppard," Colonel Petersen said. 

Colonel Petersen's advice to the incoming commander was simple. "Enjoy every minute of it because my two years went by in the blink of an eye. I had no idea how fast the time could go."