LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Q: What was it like to learn you were to become commander of the 1st Fighter Wing?
A: It was unexpected and very exciting. After a staff meeting in Afghanistan, my leadership pulled me aside with Gen. David Petraeus and told me what my assignment would be. I was honored to have it done in that manner, and humbled to be selected as the commander of the 1st Fighter Wing. I never imagined I'd be a wing commander here. My first operational assignment was here in 1990, so I'm very familiar with the 1st Fighter Wing family. I spent a lot of years here, and got to work for some pretty incredible people and join a long legacy of great leaders.
Q: Things have changed a lot here since 1990. What's your take on Joint Base Langley-Eustis?
A: I was here as a lieutenant initially, focusing strictly on my job. Now, being able to see the variety of missions here is eye opening and incredible. Working alongside Col. Kory Auch and Col. Bryan Turner in a team environment is outstanding. I like the team-oriented attitude people have and the way they prioritize their assets and goals to accomplish each mission. The relationship we have with the 633rd Air Base Wing is essential to our mission. We can't do our mission without them. They don't exist solely to support the 1st Fighter Wing, as they support varied and important missions on this base, many of which have real impact on the mission in the area of responsibility. At times, the 1st Fighter Wing will support the 633rd to help them accomplish their incredibly important and widely-encompassing mission.
Q: Are there any improvements you want to make?
A: After seeing where Brig. Gen. Matt Molloy took the 1st Fighter Wing, I really don't think that the course needs to be changed. New leaders are often tempted to make changes, but I see how we do our mission and where we fit in the big Air Force picture, and that's an upward course.
Q: What are your priorities as 1st Fighter Wing commander and how do you plan to implement them?
A: My number one priority is the mission. Our mission is to deliver combat airpower and Airmen downrange when called upon. We're going to do that through realistic training. Our flying mission isn't accomplished here; we're training to do that mission around the world. We try to make that training as realistic as possible, bringing our combat capabilities to the forefront. We'll also push responsibility and decision-making down to the lowest level. In the Air Force, Airmen aren't trained to simply react. In combat scenarios, Airmen need to be able to make real-time decisions without being able to query anyone else. When we train, we develop those skills and confidence in our Airmen so they respond effectively. Our goal is to maintain a truly expeditionary mindset.
Q: What is the most important element of today's Air Force?
A: Sometimes we tend to put the cart before the horse in saying "people first." Our mission is the most important thing that we do. We want to take care of our Airmen and families, but those people are here to accomplish the mission. The Air Force isn't in existence to take care of people; it exists to accomplish our mission of national defense.
Q: Everyone goes home to relax at some point. What do you like to do in your free time?
A: I enjoy working out and being outdoors. I like hiking, camping, biking, kayaking, things like that.
Q: What kind of music do you listen to?
A: I listen to a lot of music, but couldn't name everything on my MP3 player. Train and Three Doors Down are the first two bands that come to mind.
Q: What's your favorite movie?
A: My favorite movie is actually an Alfred Hitchcock movie called "Rear Window," starring Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly. Movies moved a little slower back then, but that one is a great film.
Q: Do you follow sports?
A: I like almost all sports, but the only team I really track is the Los Angeles Lakers, who got crushed this year. I've been a Lakers fan for a long time.