Former ENJJPT commanders return for 25th anniversary

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jacob Corbin
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training has trained more than 195 classes since its inception with more than 5,508 students going on to fly for their nations and the NATO alliance.

Some of the men and women responsible for this, including previous and current ENJJPT wing commanders and operations group commanders, spent the day touring Sheppard as part of the ENJJPT 25th Anniversary Celebration March 26.

With stops at the 80th Flying Training Wing headquarters, the 80th FTW's simulator building and the Air Operations Complex, the tour focused on how things have changed and advanced technologically since ENJJPT was first formed in 1980.

Retired Col. Larry Pritchett, the first ENJJPT wing commander who led it from July 15, 1980, to Feb. 24, explained during the tour that in his day, the only simulator at their disposal was a simple emergency procedures simulator. He said it was nothing more than a way for pilots to walk through emergency steps before climbing into a real aircraft, nothing compared to the realistic flight simulators NATO pilots have to train with today.

"This program has matured," Colonel Pritchett said. "It's a dramatic transition."

But he also said one thing hasn't changed since he led ENJJPT.

"They're still flying aircraft, and flying them well."

The day culminated in a "classic" Texas barbecue at hangar 2408, with entertainment and food by a local catering team, the Mavericks. The event gave previous wing commanders, current 80th FTW members and NATO partners the chance to look back at the program.

Throughout the night, many commonalities were revealed, like the tendency for Texas hail storms to ravage the aircraft fleet, and the antics of pilots-in-training.

In addition, nearly every previous wing commander that spoke at the event touched on the relationship Wichita Falls and the local community has with Sheppard and ENJJPT.

"The way the Wichita Falls community embraces this program is something I haven't seen duplicated anywhere in the Air Force," said Brig. Gen. Travis E. Harrell, the ENJJPT wing commander from Dec. 22, 1987, to July 20, 1989.

Col. Jeffery Kendall, current 80th FTW commander, closed out the evening with a message which tied the day's events together.

"No matter how much changes," Colonel Kendall said, "much more remains the same. We build relationships (here) that last a lifetime."

Previous wing commanders and operations group commanders in attendance included Maj. Gen. Stanley Gorenc, Brig. Gen H.D. Polumbo Jr., retired Brig. Gen. Travis Harrel, retired Col. Sandor Babos, retired Col. Larry Prichett, retired German Air Force Col. Johannes Hassenewert and German Air Force Col. Heinrich Schneider.