Former NATO, U.S. leaders return to Sheppard for anniversary

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jacob Corbin
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNEWS) --  Former Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training members reunited and toured Sheppard AFB as part of their 25th anniversary celebration March 26.

Previous and current ENJJPT wing commanders and operations group commanders have trained more than 195 classes since its inception with more than 5,508 students going on to fly for their nations and the NATO alliance.

The tour focused on how things have changed and advanced technologically since ENJJPT was first formed in 1980. ENJJPT members visited the 80th Flying Training Wing headquarters, the 80th FTW's simulator building and the Air Operations Complex.

Retired Col. Larry Pritchett, the first ENJJPT wing commander, said the only simulator at their disposal when he led the unit was a simple emergency procedures simulator. He said it was nothing more than a way for pilots to walk through emergency steps before climbing into a real aircraft; nothing compared to the realistic flight simulators NATO pilots have to train with today.

"This program has matured," Colonel Pritchett said. "It's a dramatic transition."

But he also said one thing hasn't changed since he led ENJJPT.

"They're still flying aircraft, and flying them well," the colonel said.

The day culminated in a barbecue at Hangar 2408, which gave previous wing commanders, current 80th FTW members and NATO partners the chance to look back at the program. 

Nearly every previous wing commander that spoke at the event touched on the relationship Wichita Falls and the local community has with Sheppard AFB and ENJJPT.

"The way the Wichita Falls community embraces this program is something I haven't seen duplicated anywhere in the Air Force," said retired Brig. Gen. Travis E. Harrell, the ENJJPT wing commander from Dec. 22, 1987, to July 20, 1989.

Col. Jeffrey Kendall, the current 80th FTW commander, closed out the evening with a message which tied the day's events together.

"No matter how much changes," he said, "much more remains the same. We build relationships (here) that last a lifetime."

Previous wing commanders in operations group commanders in attendance included Maj. Gen. Stanley Gorenc, Brig. Gen. H.D. Polumbo Jr., retired Brig. Gen. Travis Harrel, retired Col. Sandor Babos, retired Col. Larry Prichett, retired German Air Force Col. Johannes Hassenewert and German Air Force Col. Heinrich Schneider.

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