Norsworthy makes short trip for higher responsibility

  • Published
  • By John Ingle
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Col. David Norsworthy's travel to his next assignment won't be a long one. Roughly half-a-mile, in fact.

The former commander of the 982nd Training Group has been officially re-assigned as the 82nd Training Wing vice commander, a post formerly held by Col. Kris Beasley. Colonel Beasley was assigned to become the new commander of the 42nd Air Base Wing at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

Colonel Norsworthy didn't hold command of the 982nd for long, taking the reins of the group in June 2007. Although the assignment bumps him up on the hierarchy of the 82nd TRW, he said it's somewhat bitter sweet.

"I don't like to give up a flag," he said. "Being a commander is a very special thing."

But, he said he looks forward to the new challenges that lay ahead - helping Brig. Gen. O.G. Mannon, the 82nd TRW commander, fulfill his vision at Sheppard to include the production of highly-skilled warrior Airmen and secure the fidelity of communication throughout the wing.

As a C-130 crew member, a commander of a squadron and two groups, and staff assignments, Colonel Norsworthy said he understands the need for a seamless flow of communication. But, there's another aspect of communication that he said he would work on - collaboration.

"The other part of that is collaboration, or being able to work together," he said. "I have a lot of experience in working with teams."

That was evident by a recently-announced award for members of the 982nd when they were named the 2008 Air Education and Training Command Chief of Staff Team Excellence Award winners by 2nd Air Force. He said it's a total-team concept that everyone takes a part in.

"It's 'we' as a team," he said.

It's not too difficult to figure out the type of person Colonel Norsworthy is - the son of an Air Force chaplain who embraces his faith, family and service. To put it one way, he could be considered the Usain Bolt of the Air Force, but not because of his sprinter's speed. Bolt set the world record at the Olympics in the 100- and 200-meter sprints. Why? Because he kept his eye on the finish line and envisioned the race before it started.

Instead of seeing the prize for the 982nd TRG alone, his focus is all of Sheppard and its missions.

Now that he's into his 26th year of his career race, the colonel said this opportunity isn't just a progression in his career, but a statement of the trust shown by the highest ranking military member on Sheppard.

"He trusted me for my experience and my familiarity with the wing," Colonel Norsworthy said. "That means a lot to me because it tells me (he) has confidence in my abilities to be his vice."

If his career was to end after his tenure as vice commander of Sheppard, he said he would've already had a successful military career.

"This is a great place to work; a great place to live," he said. "It's an honor for me to have this job and I'm going to make sure I work hard to do the best job in this position."