Commander, D-M community members exchange parting words

  • Published
  • By Brig. Gen. Paul T. Johnson
  • Commander, 355th Fighter Wing
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Desert Lightning Team,

With my change of command right around the corner, it's with genuine pride that I'll share some parting words with you.

Since I joined in 1985, the Air Force has taken me all over the world. But, even as an A-10 pilot throughout my entire career, I was never stationed at Davis-Monthan until I took command here in 2008.

Even after two years, I'm still amazed at just how special this place is. Now that I'm about to depart, I can only hope that every Airman and civilian here has some measure of pride in how they contribute to some of the most important missions in support of our nation's defense.

Let me first be clear about what the 355th Fighter Wing is primarily here to do. We take some of the best fighter pilots in the world, and we make them even better. We also train Airmen to take A-10s and equipment anywhere in the world to conduct combat operations under any conditions. How do we do it so well? There are many reasons, and several have to do with Southern Arizona itself.

First, the local terrain is very similar to where we're flying combat missions in Southwest Asia. Second, the consistently beautiful Arizona weather almost never interferes with our training sorties. Third, because of how far south we are, much of our airspace is relatively open - we rarely have to compete with commercial air traffic. And maybe most importantly, we have quick access to the Barry M. Goldwater Range, which is one of the few places in the country where our student pilots can practice shooting the A-10 gun and dropping live ordnance.

However, the main reason we're good at what we do is you. Your professionalism, dedication, and willingness to sacrifice make it an honor to put on the uniform every day.

I've had the great fortune to be a student fighter pilot, an instructor to other student pilots, to fly the A-10 in combat, and to command. With that in mind, I can tell you that what we do here matters in a big way, and it would be difficult to replicate it anywhere else.

And to really put this installation in perspective, I haven't yet mentioned the missions of our magnificent partner units, like the 563rd and 943rd Rescue Groups, 55th Electronic Combat Group, 214th Reconnaissance Group, 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, and 12th Air Force headquarters and its Combined Air and Space Operations Center. All of these missions - and more - take place here, and I can't stress enough how essential they all are. Without doubt, great partners make up the Desert Lightning Team.

In every job specialty and at every working location on D-M, Airmen and civilians are supporting the missions that make our Air Force strong, capable and ready -- every day.

It's been a pleasure and honor to serve with all of you. Continue to do what you do, enjoy your time in Tucson, and remind yourselves frequently that you're making a real difference.

Farewell!

PJ
Brig. Gen. Paul T. Johnson

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Members of the D-M community also shared their impressions of General Johnson, after getting to know him and his leadership style over the last two years:

"Every time he came in, we know he was about business. But, no matter what your rank, he'd still talk to you. Ask him a man-to-man question, and he'd give you a man-to-man answer. He definitely has a sense of humor, but you always knew how serious he was about the mission."
--Airman 1st Class Maurice Horne, aviation resource manager for the 354th Fighter Squadron

"Great leaders don't just lead; they bring out the best in everybody else, too. General Johnson does just that, from leading the wing at D-M to being an active member of the Tucson community. I truly admire his down-to-earth nature, his honesty and his passion for all that he does. He will be greatly missed, but Tucson and D-M AFB are better off from his time spent with us."
--Nancy Blythe, Military Affairs Committee Chair

"More than any other wing commander I've encountered, General Johnson maintained the perfect balance of understanding details but letting squadron commanders lead their squadron. When the (354th FS) 'Bulldogs' encountered a serious personnel issue, our squadron commander briefed then-Colonel Johnson about the situation. After listening, he nodded and, while he obviously had thoughts and ideas regarding how to handle the situation, his only comment was priceless: 'Sounds like you have a leadership challenge ahead of you.' That quote personifies the general's leadership style."
--Lt. Col. Drew Kapuscak, 355th Training Squadron commander (former director of operations for the 354th)

"General Johnson is a 'fire and forget' leader. He fires the issue to his key staff and then is able to 'forget' about it, because the general has complete trust in our leadership to get results. That style of leadership has really things happen for the Airmen of Davis-Monthan."
--Chief Master Sgt. Manuel Roblesreynoso, 355th Mission Support Group superintendent

"General Johnson's leadership was filled with trust, integrity and respect for his commanders and managers to support the D-M Mission. He provided a clear vision to his commanders and recognized the importance of teamwork between units, servicemembers and civilians, which resulted in a self-confident, productive and smooth-running installation."
--Mike Toriello, deputy civil engineer, 355th Civil Engineer Squadron

"General Johnson is the kind of commander I envisioned when I came into the Air Force. It seems he's mastered both sides of being a good leader. He balances a no-nonsense, mission-oriented attitude with genuine humility, which makes him approachable and amazing to work for. I'm actually moving on from my Air Force career later this month, but I know that General Johnson's leadership example is one I'll think about even in my future civilian career."
--1st Lt. Mary Pekas, deputy chief of public affairs

"On behalf of the DM-50, we wish you and Tricia the best in the future. Be safe in Afghanistan and keep your head down. We look forward to seeing you down the road."
--Glen Kerslake, DM-50 member and former president

"When I think of General Johnson, I remember a quote by Thomas J. Watson: 'Nothing so conclusively proves a man's ability to lead others as what he does from day to day to lead himself.' More than anything else, the general leads by example. The way he thoughtfully addresses situations and handles the people around him is inspiring."
--Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Martin, 355th Fighter Wing Protocol