Williams reminds 17-05 graduates of importance of what they do

Photo By Senior Airman John Day | Maj. Gen. Brett Williams, U.S. Air Force retired, speaks to attendees of Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 17-05’s graduation Feb. 10, 2017, at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. Williams thanked those in attendance, including Col. Douglas Gosney, 14th Flying Training Wing Commander, Team BLAZE for the work they do at Columbus AFB, the instructor pilots for their hard work, and the parents for supporting their sons and daughters through SUPT.  

COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, MS, UNITED STATES

02.10.2017

Story by 2nd Lt. Savannah Stephens 

14th Flying Training Wing

Maj. Gen. Brett Williams, U.S. Air Force retired, visited Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, for Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 17-05’s graduation were he delivered the keynote address at Kaye Auditorium Feb. 10, 2017.

Before retiring in 2014, Williams was the Director of Operations, J-3, for United States Cyber Command, Fort Meade, Maryland. He was responsible for the operations and defense of specified Department of Defense information networks as well as the ability to conduct full-spectrum military cyberspace operations in support of U.S. National Security Objectives.

The general began his speech by thanking those in attendance, including Col. Douglas Gosney, 14th Flying Training Wing Commander, for the privilege of being there, Team BLAZE for the work they do at Columbus AFB, the instructor pilots for their hard work, and the parents for supporting their sons and daughters through SUPT.

“To the parents, spouses, family, maybe even soon-to-be spouses and everyone who contributed to getting these men and one woman through pilot training, I want to thank you,” Williams said.

Williams spent the rest of his time telling SUPT class 17-05 different stories from his career of being an F-15C pilot that helped him throughout his career.

“You literally put your lives in the hands of the people who maintain your airplane,” Williams said. “Take the time to get to know the people who maintain your airplane.”

Williams spoke about how getting to know your maintainers is so important. He said that they have to understand what your mission is and connect the dots on why what they are doing matters to every single pilot.

He then spoke about the importance of the Airman’s Creed.

“I am an American Airman, in this case I am also a Saudi Airman. [Referring to the Saudi Arabian students in the graduating class] I am a warrior. I have answered my nation’s call,” Williams said. “Later in the creed it says, I defend my country with my life. Well that is not what I was thinking about when I was sitting in your shoes. I was thinking ‘I am going to fly a cool F-15!’”

He discussed how pilots are going to be asked to go places they never imagined and they are going to have to put more than just an aircraft on the line.

“You are going to defend your country with your life and I ask you take that very seriously,” Williams said.

He ended his speech by thanking the pilots for signing up to do exactly what the Airman’s creed says.

“I’d like to finish by just telling you thank you,” Williams said. “Thank you for agreeing to do exactly what I just said. I am jealous of the road you are going to take, but I am also very excited. Good luck and God speed.”

• Date Taken: 02.10.2017
• Date Posted: 04.28.2017 14:28
• Story ID: 231956
• Location: COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, MS, US