Norsworthy: We have so many talented people here

  • Published
  • By John Ingle
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Col. David Norsworthy sat at a table in his office one last time June 19, much the same as he did almost a year ago. His quiet demeanor but confident voice was the same in August 2008 when he became wing vice commander of the 82nd Training Wing.

The colonel pondered what he would miss the most about Sheppard, and the answer was swift - those he worked with. Colonel Norsworthy agreed that he is the type of person that wants people to be comfortable working with him, not for him.

"What's amazing is we have so many talented people here at Sheppard," he said. "What I can do is be a mirror and reflect what everyone is seeing and celebrate it."

An example of his team-oriented work ethic is the 982nd Training Group's Deep Purple Team, a group that was awarded the Chief of Staff Team Excellence Award in September 2008 at the Air Force Association's Air & Space Conference and Technology Expo. Colonel Norsworthy oversaw projects the team had worked on while he was commander of the 982nd TRG from June 2007 until he was promoted to the wing vice commander position.

He said he is also proud of the accomplishments within Sheppard's food services operation, as well as numerous individual accomplishments from Airmen across the wing.

"Those are all accomplishments that seem like once-in-a-lifetime," Colonel Norsworthy said, "but it seems to happen a lot here. It's a lot of fun."

The colonel said he couldn't proclaim "mission accomplished" as he departed the base. Because of the mission here and the impact Sheppard has on the Air Force, there is always something to be done. Colonel Norsworthy went back to the "people" aspect of his time here to illustrate how no one can really leave the base and claim the job is finished.

"This is a very wonderful place to look at our newest Airmen," he said. "How proud it makes me when I see them. Whether they are marching to the (dining facility) or in a parade, that's the really cool thing about Sheppard."

The colonel's new assignment takes him to Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, where he will serve as the Deputy Director of Logistics, Installations and Base Support.

"It's going to be a different challenge than anything I've done before," he said. "There are some parts that I'm not familiar with, but that's exciting to me."