Instructor of the Week: Maj. Hatleberg

Maj. Celina Hatleberg, 90th Flying Training Squadron chief of undergraduate pilot training and native of Dallas, Texas, has been in the Air Force for 17 years and is the Instructor of the Week at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, for the Week of May 17-23, 2016.

Most significant accomplishments:

• Becoming an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter pilot.

Airman’s story:

“My first experience here at Sheppard Air Force Base was as an Airmen going through the pipeline in the 364th Training Squadron back in 1999,” said Hatleberg. “I completed my training here as an electrical and environmental on the F-16. I continued in that profession as full time guard with the 138th Fighter Wing, earning my five level before being accepted into Officer Training School (OTS) for a pilot training slot.”

“While at OTS I worked hard to earn a coveted Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) spot here at Sheppard,” Hatleberg continued. “Later I completed training and graduated in Class 06-06, became a T-37 and T-6 First Assignment Instructor Pilot (FAIP) and went off to fly the mighty F-15E Strike Eagle. Now I’m back at Sheppard instructing again, only this time in the T-38C. Every day I enjoy my drive to work passing by the hangars off Missile road by the B-52. It reminds me of the journey, the people and all the fun I’ve had along the way. The Air Force has afforded me great opportunities, a great career and Sheppard has been my home for eight years now, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Supervisor Comments:

“Major Hatleberg is a vital member of the 90th Flying Training Squadron team,” said Lt. Col. Jeremy Putman 90th FTS director of operations. “As our squadron’s chief of undergraduate pilot training she oversees the training of more than 100 NATO student pilots per year. Flight commanders bring their toughest questions to her for advice and guidance. In addition to teaching student pilots, she also coaches trainees learning to be instructor pilots. Her extensive experience at Sheppard and her contagious positive outlook enable our squadron to excel at producing fighter pilots for the NATO alliance.”