80th FTW Commander awarded Legion of Merit

  • Published
  • By Maj. Lindsey Giggy
  • 80th Flying Training Wing
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 80th Flying Training Wing Commander here was awarded the Legion of Merit during a change of command ceremony Feb. 13, 2015.

Col. Lance Bunch, led the direction of flying training activities for the world's only internationally manned and managed organization conducting NATO flying training program currently located at Sheppard.

Bunch oversaw training in four major courses of instruction:  Undergraduate Pilot Training, Pilot Instructor Training, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals and Upgrade Instructor Pilot Training for 13 signatory nations involved in the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program.

During his tenure, he managed a $245 million dollar annual budget and was responsible for the safe execution of nearly 93,500 sorties in T-6, Texan II and T-38, Talon aircraft producing 384 combat aviators, 144 instructor pilots, and 270 IFF graduates for the NATO alliance.

Under his leadership, the 80th FTW supported and continues to support the Air Force's busiest Airfield Operations Complex on a shared military and civilian airfield with the oldest fleet of aircraft and Air Education and Training Command's highest utilization rate.

Bunch led the execution and management of 51,000 annual training sorties and 61,000 flying hours, while overseeing a contracted aircraft maintenance organization and operations group with four flying training squadrons, one fighter training squadron and one operations support squadron.

There are more than 1,000 personnel assigned to the 80th FTW, with 178 international families. The mission includes 200 aircraft.

Under Bunch's supervision, the 80th re-integrated Turkey into active participation in the program.  They began sending students for training for the first time in nine years and sent their first-ever student to ENJJPT IFF.  He also showcased the program to delegates from the Romanian Air Force and built lasting ties with a potential future ENJJPT partner and key NATO ally. 

With his guidance, the 80th FTW protocol shop was awarded the "George Washington Award for Protocol Excellence." In 2014, the wing hosted more than 337 distinguished visitor events, showcasing the ENJJPT spirit of trust and cooperation to 24 command general officers, senators, congressmen, and representatives from the Australian, Turkish, Romanian, and other Air Forces.

The Steering Committee, comprised of senior delegates of each participating nation, was able to negotiate a new memorandum of understanding that secured the future of the ENJJPT program through the year 2026.

Bunch's avid desire to excel was instrumental in preparing the wing for the first-of-its-kind, fully comprehensive Headquarters AETC Unit Effectiveness Inspection. His navigation through many months of preparation enabled Sheppard to be the first wing in the U.S. Air Force to be declared Commander's Inspection Program compliant.

Within only a few months, the wing was awarded a "Highly Effective" rating in the command's first UEI and also earned the AETC Junius W. Jones Award for the best commander's inspection program.

While serving as the commander, Bunch oversaw the execution of over $17 million dollars of extensive airfield and facility projects, improving future flying and support operations.  He collaborated with the local community leadership and oversaw the completion of a $300,000 taxiway project which restored operations for the civilian airport. 

Working with the airport and key community leaders, he was instrumental in the restoration project of a damaged T-38 aircraft, ensuring its completion prior to the opening of the new municipal airport in Dec. 2014.  The aircraft became a key component in an airport historical display, "Jenny to Jet," showcasing the technological span of aviation in the North Texas region featuring the century-old Curtiss JN-4D "Jenny" bi-plane and today's fighter aircraft.

During his assignment, he maintained his T-38 flight lead qualifications, flying over 152 hours and 138 sorties.  He is a command pilot with more than 3,300 flying hours in the B-52G/H, T-38A/C, F-15C/D and F-15E.  His operational experiences include Operations Northern Watch, Enduring Freedom, and Noble Eagle. 

Bunch and his wife, Emily, were awarded the 2015 Air Education and Training Command General and Mrs. Jerome F. O'Malley Award which recognizes the wing commander and spouse team whose contributions to the nation, the Air Force, and the local community best exemplify the highest ideals and positive leadership of a military couple in a key Air Force position.

Col. and Mrs. Bunch depart for a new assignment with Air Force Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.