Roberson's bid farewell to Tyndall

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt. Carissa Lee
  • 325th Fighter Wing/ Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  After 21 months as the commander of the 325th Fighter Wing, Brig. Gen. Darryl Roberson and his wife, Cheryl, will depart Tyndall AFB for their new assignment in Washington, D.C. The wing's change of command ceremony takes place Dec. 18, where he will pass the leadership of the 325th FW to Col. James Browne.

For General Roberson, the departure is bittersweet. A lifetime pilot, he will be moving on to an assignment "off the runway." He said it's going to be an adjustment, although he is proud to serve in whatever capacity the Air Force needs him in.

"I've been so lucky in my career to have had the opportunity to do what I truly love--flying and working with Airmen. I'm passionate about it and my fini-flight is going to be a sad day for me," he said. "There are only a very small percentage of jobs for general officers in the Air Force where we can fly, and I understand that."

A two year assignment for a commander is pretty standard and the Roberson's said they have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of their time in the Florida panhandle. Tyndall is known around the Air Force as having one of the most military-friendly communities in the world, and the Robersons both concur. Mrs. Roberson said the thing she will miss the most is the overwhelming sense of patriotism in the community.

"The people in our community are true Americans," she said. "And the beautiful thing is they raise their children that way ... they grow up in a town where jets are always flying overhead and their parents teach them the true meaning of freedom." General Roberson said he completely concurs with those sentiments.

"I've been in the Air Force for more than 26 years," he said. "And I can truly say this has been my favorite assignment. I know the difference between support for a community, and just having 'words' of support. The folks in this community are true, red-blooded Americans and they have a deep understanding of what it takes to protect their freedoms. We've been so fortunate to be a part of this community and we will definitely miss it."

However, for the General, the men and women of Team Tyndall are what have made this assignment his best. He said he has been "truly blessed" to work with the fantastic team of Airmen...officer, enlisted, and civilians who make up this base.

"We've been so privileged to be surrounded by an incredible bunch of great Americans who put their entire selves into protecting our nation," he said.

The General will depart Tyndall satisfied that during his tenure as wing commander, the 325th wing priorities were not only met, but exceeded.

"The training of our Air Dominance warriors is our number one priority," he said. "Fulfilling that mission, taking care of our people, and continually improving is what it's all about ... and I feel confident that we have done all three of those."

If he could pass on any words of wisdom to Tyndall's newest Airmen, the General had three pieces of advice.

"First ... open a Thrift Savings Plan account right away. Second I would tell them to work toward getting their Community College of the Air Force degree. But, the third and probably most important thing I could tell them is to enjoy their jobs and their community no matter where they may go after departing Tyndall. If they plant their roots in the ground wherever they are, those roots will quickly grow. Being involved is crucial to making the most of an assignment, and the Air Force, whether at Tyndall or anywhere in the world," he said.

Looking toward the future, General Roberson said he believes Tyndall's biggest challenge will be the drawdown of the F-15 mission and the build-up of any subsequent mission the wing may receive.

"There are major efforts that will occur with this," he said. "But I am confident Team Tyndall will rise to the occasion and succeed ... that's what we do here. We'll do whatever it takes to achieve the mission of the wing."

Just as important to the General is the support he has received from his family, not only as wing commander, but throughout his Air Force career. In this, the Year of the Air Force Family, he acknowledged he would not be where he is today without the support of his wife, Cheryl.

"Her unwavering support and knowledge of what I am going through has been what has brought me to the point I am at today. Plus, when I need a good kick in the butt, she's definitely been there for that too!"

An Air Force Academy graduate herself, Mrs. Roberson has perhaps a deeper understanding of the requirements of a military spouse, but she said it doesn't make it any easier.

"We've always said you recruit Airmen, but you retain families," Mrs. Roberson said. "I find that to be very important, especially when the military member is deployed. We have to support each other, and the best way to do that is become involved. If you are helping someone else, suddenly your problems don't seem as big."

The Roberson's are moving on to their third assignment in the Washington, D.C. area, where the General will become the deputy director of the legislative liaison division. No strangers to the northeast, they said they will be arriving just in time for a, hopefully, white Christmas--quite a change from the holiday season in the Florida panhandle.

They will leave Tyndall with fond memories and having made lifelong friendships. For Mrs. Roberson to sum up her experience here, she said it would take an encyclopedia-sized book to put it into words. "There's so much we will miss," she said. When asked what she will take from this assignment, she responded, "Everywhere we go, we learn something about ourselves. Our lives are like a drinking glass and everyone we meet leaves a new fingerprint."

As for parting words of thanks for his Airmen, General Roberson re-emphasized his deep appreciation for the Airmen and civilians he said he has had the "... absolute privilege of working for and with. Flying the Eagle and Raptor from the beaches of Florida has been awesome, but the people are the largest part of what has made this my best assignment ever. I'd like to say thank you to each and every one of them ... you will be missed."