Howdy Team Sheppard!

  • Published
  • By Col. Kris Beasley
  • 82nd Training Wing vice commander
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  I'm Col Kris "Beaz" Beasley, the new vice commander of the 82d Training Wing, and I wanted to thank all of you for the warm welcome we've received. My wife, our daughter and I arrived less than three weeks ago and have been amazed by the awesome Texas welcome...it's great to join such an outstanding team! From the permanent party personnel to the Airmen in training, everyone we have met has made us feel right at home.

We've really appreciated the tremendous support provided by the many folks helping us get settled--from the GMH and housing office folks who helped us get our house on base, to the TMO staff who ensured our household goods got delivered (and even helped us get the complicated DITY move paperwork done), to our wonderful neighbors who brought over welcoming meals when we couldn't see the stove for all the boxes--we've been very impressed with the support from the whole team. We also appreciated the chance to meet many of our downtown colleagues at the "Community Crud" night--we feel like we are part of the community already.

Certainly, our first impression when we arrived was "fantastic!" The base, despite the recent rains and area flooding, looked great and we were awed by the amount and diversity of activities available on base. That fantastic first impression has been reinforced at every activity I've been at since getting here. From the awesome Airmen-led parade I witnessed last Friday (1,600 Airmen doing a pass-in-review: Wow!!), to interesting and knowledgeable folks I've met in every unit as I've begun my wing orientation, everything has been first class.

Another thing that is breath-taking is the sheer size of the technical and flying training missions here. From the large numbers of Airmen in training to the vast number and variety of courses taught to the very impressive number of flying sorties flown every week by the 80th Flying Training Wing, everything here at Sheppard is "Texas" size--wow!

As I get around to the various units, I'm trying to meet as many of you as I can, but since I won't be able to see all of you anytime soon, I wanted to share just a little of my background. I come to Sheppard from Malmstrom AFB, Mont., where I was the mission support group commander for two years. My background is a mix of missile operations, communications and just plain leadership. My first five years in the AF were also at Malmstrom, where I was an Inter-continental Ballistic Missile missileer and instructor (so yes, I have some exposure to teaching).

Then I spent about 13 years in various communications assignments, mainly in operational units in Colorado, Germany, and Missouri, but with staff time at U.S. Air Forces Europe and at United States Space Command. For the last three years, I've been a group deputy or group commander, at Dover AFB, Del., Malmstrom, and on a six-month deployment to Saudi Arabia, where I commanded the only combat unit in the Kingdom. So, as you can see, I have a wide variety of experience, but what I really believe I am is very simpl3 - a "warrior Airman".

Again, thanks for the warm welcome! I look forward to working with you all as we strive to meet Brigadier General Devereaux's priorities and as we continue to ensure "Combat Capability Starts Here"!