80th FTW soars under new pilot as Colonel Petersen assumes command

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tonnette Thompson
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  As of today, nearly 2,500 of Sheppard Air Force Base's personnel follow a new commander.

Col. David Petersen took command of the 80th Flying Training Wing in a change of command ceremony at Hangar 2408 Aug. 10.

Col. Jeffrey Kendall, who served the 80th FTW since January, 2005, relinquished command of the only multi-nationally run pilot training program.

"You'll enjoy it, it's a blast," Colonel Kendall said of Colonel Petersen's new command. "This international wing is a lot of fun."

Presiding over the ceremony was Maj. Gen. Irving Halter Jr., commander of the 19th Air Force based at Randolph AFB, Texas.

"Good leaders take care of their people, great leaders love and embrace their people; I have no doubt which group Squint belonged to," General Halter said, referring to Colonel Kendall by his call sign.

General Halter told Colonel Petersen that he was entering "a high-profile job at a critical time," but professed no reservations about the incoming commander's abilities.

"Minimum spin-up will be required," the general said of Colonel Petersen, "he's ready to roll."

Colonel Petersen arrives from Laughlin AFB, Texas, where he served as commander of the 47th Operations Group. It was Colonel Petersen's third time stationed at Laughlin, and General Halter joked that many of the ceremony's attendees who drove in from Laughlin were there "to make sure he's not coming back."

Though he jokingly promised to "continue bugging (Colonel Kendall) in New York with questions about how to do this job right," Colonel Petersen assured those assembled he's excited to begin.

"He has set the bar very high," Colonel Petersen said of Colonel Kendall, "I have a lot to live up to, but ... I'm ready to step up."

Colonel Petersen is a command pilot, having experience with the T-6, AT-38, F-15 and the T-37 and T-38 models he'll personally oversee here. He has flown more than 3,500 hours - some of those clocked in combat during Operations Desert Storm and Provide Comfort.

Colonel Petersen entered the Air Force in 1984, beginning his first stint at Laughlin AFB as a student pilot. His career eventually led to his first command in 2000 at Keflavik Naval Air Station, Iceland, where he ran the 85th Operations Squadron.

Colonel Petersen holds a Master of Military Arts and Science degree, and a bachelor's of science.

Colonel Petersen has been awarded the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster and the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster.

Colonel Kendall will permanently change station to New York, where he will serve with the Council on Foreign Relations.