Meet Col. Corcoran Published July 11, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Christopher Reel 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A young teenager working on the family farm in Ohio glanced up to the sight and sound of fast, low-flying planes, and at that moment he knew he wanted to fly them. "I sat down with my high school guidance counselor and we came up with a plan for me to become a pilot," said Col. Charles Corcoran, 325th Operations Group commander. "It was from there that I prepared to enroll into the United States Air Force Academy to begin my career in the Air Force." After graduating from the Academy in 1992, Colonel Corcoran went to his first assignment at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., for Undergraduate Pilot Training. After that, he completed his F-15C Eagle training at Tyndall. "As a teenager, I always wanted to be a pilot. It wasn't until I entered the Academy that my focus shifted to serving my country," Colonel Corcoran said. "Basic training during that first summer at the Academy opened my eyes to the bigger picture of what it means to be a member of the Armed Forces." After completion of his training at Tyndall, he was assigned to the 19th Fighter Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. He served in numerous positions including flight commander, chief of standardization and evaluation and squadron weapons officer. "I've learned that joining the Air Force wasn't just about being a pilot and flying airplanes," said Colonel Corcoran. "I was given the opportunity to be part of something larger than myself. I am part of the Air Force family, serving our country and defending our way of life." Colonel Corcoran arrived at the 325th OG as a graduate of the National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C. He recently replaced Col. Wesley Hallman as the 325th OG commander July 7. Near-term goals for Colonel Corcoran are to make sure he is doing things right, and to make sure he takes care of the Operations Group by providing Airmen with the resources they need to complete the mission. "I am humbled and honored to be given this fantastic opportunity," Colonel Corcoran said. "I plan to cherish and make the most of it." "My wife's family is from Mississippi; we look forward to being near them as well as getting involved in the local community," he added. Colonel Corcoran came from a large family in Ohio. As one of 16 siblings, he has learned the value of making sure he spends quality time with family. "I enjoy my sports and outdoor activities as much as the next guy; however, my favorite past time is spending time with my wife and kids," said Colonel Corcoran. "Throughout the course of my career I've learned and relearned that your family and the Air Force family are there for you through good and bad." "We are members of the greatest Air Force in the world, but from time to time we all experience hardships," Colonel Corcoran said. "In difficult times I've found it's nice to take a step back and look down at the name tag on my uniform. It's the most important thing any of us wears - more so than any badge or medal we've earned. It represents our families, mothers and fathers who worked hard to give us the opportunities we have; sisters, brothers, husbands, wives and children we serve and protect." "Our families are what we'll have when we take off the uniform," he added. "We need to do our duty in a manner that honors their name and makes them proud. That is one of the best sources of encouragement I've discovered over the course of my career."