Leading in diversity Published Nov. 3, 2006 By John Ingle 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE -- If there was one word Brig. Gen. Richard Devereaux would use to describe the 782nd Training Group, it would definitely be "diverse." The 82nd Training Wing commander toured squadrons of the 782nd TRG Sept. 19 to become familiar with the courses taught, discovering there isn't one particular area of specialty. "I was quite impressed by the diversity of the 782nd Training Group," General Devereaux said. "From avionics to aircraft hydraulics to civil engineering to telecommunications to fuels specialists, this group covers a broad area of courses." The general began his tour of facilities with the 364th Training Squadron where instructor Tech. Sgt. Ronald Heilman briefed him on the basic hydraulics and in-flight refueling courses. Sergeant Heilman said told the general about the types of aircraft they use to train Airmen and why those specific airframes were chosen. "We use T-38s and F-16 trainers due to the simplistic system that the T-38s have, and we use the F-16 trainers because of the steer and fly by-wire systems," Sergeant Heilman said. General Devereaux also saw how Airmen are taught how to overhaul in-flight refueling booms and conduct "operational checkouts" of the enormous steel gas lines when maintenance is complete. The general took particular interest in the avionics and hydraulics courses as they hit close to home, he said. Tech. Sgt. Matthew Beauregard, an instructor at the 364th TRS, briefed the aircraft electrical and environmental course. He told the general the course lasts 94 days, taking more than 740 hours to complete. The 800 Airmen who have graduated thus far have learned to perform maintenance on aircraft flight controls, fire warning and lighting systems, he said. "As a former C-5 Galaxy pilot, I know how intensely complex aircraft electrical and hydraulic systems can be," General Devereaux said, "and I was impressed by the expertise that our young Airmen demonstrated after being trained by 782nd instructors." The general rounded out his visit at the 366th TRS, perhaps the single most diverse training squadron on base. The squadron houses courses for telecommunications, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, pest control, utilities and electrical systems, to name a few. Senior Master Sgt. Jerry Williams Jr., the superintendent for the squadron's mechanical flight, provided a briefing on all civil engineering curriculums as the general toured the outside of Bldgs. 1927 and 1921. The group ended up at the squadron's pole yard where Airmen train to become some of the finest linemen in the world. "It was amazing to see Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen confidently climb telephone poles so early in their training," General Devereaux said. "Many were able to quickly overcome a fear of heights with the support of their fellow trainees." The general said he's ready to get base leadership out to the pole yard for the traditional commander's challenge. "I'm looking forward to getting my group commanders out here to see how quickly they can shimmy up these poles," he said. "Of course, we'll need our wing chaplain, Father (Richard) Munsell, to be out here praying for us." By the end of the day, the general said the 782nd TRG displayed the same desire he has as commander - to be "Technically the Best" at what they do.