A time for change Published May 15, 2008 By Lt. Col. Warren Benjamin 325th Operation Support Squadron former commander TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Twenty-four years ago, the Air Force paid $219 to fly me from Wichita Falls, Texas to Colorado Springs, Colo. I don't remember the flight much, but I do remember the "reception" that ensued as I got off the bus to meet my Military Training Instructor for the first time. I'm sure everyone who wears a uniform remembers those first minutes in the military with unusual clarity. It is a life changing event. One of the first things we had to learn was how many days there were until our class graduated from the Air Force Academy - 1,434. I can remember thinking those four years were going to last an eternity. Finally, it was our turn to graduate and that's when I realized that time had flown by. Two years ago, Col. Matthew Molloy handed me the 325th Operations Support Squadron flag during a change of command ceremony. As I took that flag, and the responsibilities that went with it, I knew it would be another life changing event. Two years later, I am handing off the flag and preparing to retire from the Air Force. Again, I realize time has flown by. I've been associated with the Air Force my entire life; the son of an Air Force member for the first seventeen years, then a member myself for the next twenty-four. I am anxious about how my family and I are going to handle changes and adjust to life outside the military, but I don't have a shred of doubt that the Air Force will continue to do great things. Have you ever seen the old poster "Sleep tight tonight, your Air Force is awake"? I will be sleeping just fine, because I've seen who the Air Force is. The Air Force is not a few squadrons of airplanes or satellites, a bunch of bases around the world, or a lot of space-age technology, staff meetings and e-mail. The Air Force is people getting the job done. It is a force made up of people like Airman 1st Class Jamerson Watts, recent Tyndall Air Force Base Airman of the Quarter. I've been his commander for a long time; I've seen him go though some very tough situations and rough times, but that never held him back. He had the opportunity to take advantage of a second chance in his life and he never looked back. He strove to make himself better and overcome the problems he faced and he did. People such as Staff Sgt. Turner, 447th Expeditionary Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit, who represents our front line leaders in the non-commissioned officer corps. I had the opportunity to ride with him as he commanded a four-person EOD unit on an Improvised Explosive Device search-and-destroy mission South of Baghdad. He deploys for six months, comes home for six, then deploys again - riding "outside the wire" on a daily basis and leading his Airmen with amazing skill and confidence to keep the roads safe. People like Maj. Stephen Vilpors, 325th Operations Support Squadron assistant director of operations, like many company and field grade officers, has the ability to solve nearly any problem thrown at him, even without prior training. He ensures junior leaders have proper guidance and senior leaders have the right information. People like Jim Roncaglione, Tyndall's airspace manager, who represents our civilian corps. He puts 100 percent into his job and ensures Tyndall's airplanes have airspace and runways to accomplish the mission by working with local leaders to keep our issues at the forefront of policy in the State of Florida. He is one of the unsung heroes who ensure we have the space and resources to train the best aviators in the world. People like Gen. Tod Wolters who, like many of our senior leaders, has the trait former President Truman found important, "...the ability to get other people to do what they don't want to do and like it." He is a true leader who keeps his eye on the target and leads the masses to victory. So as I move on to a different career, I have no doubt the Air Force is in great hands. My only advice is to cherish every day you have, thank everyone you can, have fun in your job, and remember...before you know it, you too will be moving on. Make sure you've made the best of your time with the world's greatest Air Force. I thank each and every one of you for your excellence, your dedication, and most importantly your service to our country.