Support from the heart: 82nd MSG commander retires to follow spouse’s career

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tonnette Thompson
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  When 82nd Training Wing Commander Brig. Gen. Richard Devereaux warned incoming 82nd Mission Support Group commander Col. Richard Lipsey that he'd have some big shoes to fill, a small chuckle went through the audience assembled at the change of command ceremony - possibly because at that moment, a certain pair of size 14 low-quarters were suddenly lifted and inspected by their owner.

Col. Steven "Alf" McKay, owner of the specially-ordered low quarters, said goodbye to the 82nd Mission Support Group in a retirement ceremony at the Sheppard Club Aug. 3. He plans to move to Winchester, Va., where his wife, Lydia, will pursue her degree and career at Shenandoah University Medical School.

Lydia McKay applied to medical schools while the McKays were stationed at Sheppard, reaching the agreement that wherever she was accepted, that's where Colonel McKay would push for his next assignment.

"Then I realized continuing to serve in the Air Force wouldn't leave me time to commit to her new career and offer her the support she'd need," he said.

So, with their children - Allie, Abram, Abigail and Andrew - they reached what Colonel McKay referred to as a "corporate decision."

"We decided that ... this is it," he said simply.

While Lydia is earning her degree, the retired colonel will take on a job with a consulting firm.

"They have a lot of contracts with military organizations," he said of his new civilian employers, "so they're always looking for prior military to work for them."

Colonel McKay's Air Force career began in 1981 with the demise of another prospect, when a knee injury permanently derailed his professional football dreams. After being passed over in that year's NFL draft, his coach sat him down for a heart-to-heart.

"He basically told me either I could chase a football dream or get on with my life and find another career," Colonel McKay said. Already married and supporting their first child, he decided to see a recruiter.

He chose the Air Force out of family tradition.

"My uncle was in the Air Force," Colonel McKay said. "My dad was in the Navy - and he made sure to steer me away from the Navy," he laughed.

A few months later, he was an undergraduate navigation student at Mather Air Force Base, Calif.

Colonel McKay's retirement ceremony culminated 26 years of service. His career has taken him as far as Incirlik Air Base, Turkey and as high as Air Education and Training Command Headquarters. It even earned him a stint at Fort Leavenworth - as an educator.

"My favorite was Cannon," he said, referring to the New Mexico base where he served two years in the F-111 Aardvark training program.

"It was great flying, and a very formulative time for my family. And just like Sheppard, we hooked up with some great people, and found a great church family there as well," he said.

When the idea of him as a "popular" commander at Sheppard is mentioned, his laugh becomes hearty and he shakes his head. He likened his position as the 82nd MSG commander to the role of base mayor.

"It's not so much me, it's the position I sit in," he deferred. "The mission support group takes care of the entire base. The cops let you in the front gate, Services offers the gyms, the pools, lodging to keep you comfortable. The (Mission Support Squadron) processes you. These are front-end organizations whose job is to care for the base populace.

"Apply a Texas hospitality method to caring for these folks, and it can make you popular just by virtue of being their leader," he said.

Though he is willing to give himself a bit of credit.

"As a big, loud ex-football guy, I probably come off a bit differently than your usual commander," he admitted. "I just try to keep things positive."

Colonel McKay is not unique in citing the base populace and the surrounding community of Wichita Falls as the most pleasing aspect of time spent at Sheppard. Still, it bears repeating.

"It's all about the people here. The people-based style, the quality of the people here - it's so fantastic I get choked up just thinking about it. It's what makes this place go, and it was awesome to be a part of that," he said.

To the incoming 82nd MSG commander, Col. Richard Lipsey, Colonel McKay offers the following advice, following the people-centered philosophy: "It's all about the family here. Be a great dad and take great care of your family, and your family will take great care of the Air Force."