19th AF commander speaks to Class 07-06 graduates

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mary Davis
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Twenty-eight and a half years ago, 2nd Lt. Irving Halter Jr. earned his wings at Vance Air Force Base, Okla., as a student in Class 79-01. Now, more than 3,200 flying hours later, Major General Halter came back to where his flying career took off to speak to the aviator graduates of Class 07-06 during a graduation ceremony March 9. 

"First and foremost, you must respect this craft that you've taken on," said the 19th Air Force commander. "Being a professional Airman is not a video game or something one does on the side. It requires your undivided and full attention. You must constantly remind yourself that complacency in this business can be deadly." 

While attending pilot training, General Halter said the wing commander spoke to his class of 32 students and said statistically two or three of his fellow classmates would die in the cockpit within 10 years of graduation. The commander based this assumption on his own experience and the accident rates of aircraft aviation at that time. Thankfully, that wasn't the case, and all of his classmates are alive and well today. 

Today's Air Force adopted safer flying standards and it shows, the commander said.
"This past year, the Air Force and Air Education and Training Command logged the safest aviation year in our history," he said. "Despite high operations tempo and long combat operations, our training and technology have made the cockpit a much safer place to work." 

Despite the great safety record last year, the general reminded the group not to forget the risks involved in flying. 

"Stay on your toes and never forget how to master this craft. Know your limitations, and never let anyone pressure you into something beyond your personal limits," General Halter said. 

As an aviator with more than 180 combat hours under his belt, he advised the graduates to never forget the flying basics and to remember they are officers that happen to be pilots - not the other way around. 

His final piece of advice? Be humble.

"There's an old saying, 'If you see a turtle perched on a fencepost, you can bet he didn't get there by himself.' None of you are here on your own merit alone. You are surrounded by folks who loved you, taught you and supported you. Without them, you wouldn't be here today," said the general, a New Jersey native. "Beyond that, never forget to thank the guy who packs your parachute, works on your jet, works on your records, gives medical care to your family, cleans the floors or dumps the trash. Be especially nice to the guys who guard the gate and the flight line. The enlisted corps is making sacrifices in the war on terror that you may not be asked to make, and for less money than you make. Be grateful of their sacrifice."