Col. Kendall flies with the 80th FTW one final time

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jacob Corbin
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  For someone who's flown military aircraft for the last 24 years, facing the prospect of hanging up their G-suit and helmet can't be easy.

But Col. Jeffrey Kendall, 80th Flying Training Wing commander, isn't slowed by what may be his final time in the cockpit. He has his eyes forward, ready for whatever the Air Force has to offer.

Colonel Kendall made his final flight with the 80th FTW Aug. 9 in the skies over Wichita Falls in a T-38C Talon, accompanied in the backseat by 80th FTW Superintendent Chief Master Sgt. Norman Thierolf.

He said he enjoyed his time with the 80th FTW and the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program. He said he loved helping to train the future pilots of the U.S. Air Force and its NATO partners at the worlds only multi-nationally ran pilot training program.

"They remind me of how much fun it is to strap on a jet and fly," he said. "I can't think of a better mission than training our future (pilots)."

Colonel Kendall was greeted by his family and a crowd of well-wishers when he landed. His three children, Neil, Jacob and Ryan, took the opportunity to soak him down in the customary fashion of a fini-flight - they made sure to get the chief, too.

While the flight itself is definitely not his last, Colonel Kendall said it might just be his last flying assignment. Colonel Kendall's next assignment is in New York working with the Council on Foreign Relations.

However, if it turns out the Aug. 9 flight was his last; it would mean his flying career truly has came full-circle, as Colonel Kendall attended undergraduate pilot training at Sheppard in 1983.

The colonel said he's pleased with the course of his career so far and that being able to fly at this point in his career is a blessing. He said every chance he gets to fly is exciting.

Colonel Kendall has flown seven aircraft, including the TG-10B/C, TG-14A, T-37, T-38, T-41D, UV-18B and F-15A/B/C/D. The majority of his 3,000 flying hours were spent in the F-15, which he said was his favorite to fly.

"I'm an Eagle driver by heart," he said.

Colonel Kendall is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours, including 363 combat-flying hours.