AETC wraps up spring leadership conference Published March 8, 2011 By John Ingle 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Air Education and Training Command leaders wrapped up their spring meeting March 3 at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, following three days of discussion on the command's most pressing issues. Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr. hosted the event, his first since he took command of AETC Nov. 17. The general said the AETC Senior Leaders' Conference is held twice annually and draws commanders and command chief master sergeants as well as other command leaders. "We look at all the topics that are associated with helping our commanders do the very important jobs of recruiting, educating and training literally everybody who comes into our Air Force every year," the general said. "That's some 330,000 people they touch. We look at all the aspects of that and see how we can do it better in the future." General Rice said AETC will always have a mission because the Air Force has a requirement to recruit and train tomorrow's Airmen today. He said the Air Force continues to be strong and resilient in its air, space and cyberspace endeavors and he expects that to continue into the future. Part of that goal is to determine how best to replace the aging T-38C Talon fleet that is used as the primary jet engine aircraft trainer. AETC will celebrate the T-38's 50th anniversary March 17. The general said there isn't a time table in place to find and procure an alternative aircraft, but the ball is rolling to address that need. "We are right at the beginning of assessing the alternatives for a new trainer," General Rice said. "Once we start on an alternative path, we'll start laying the timeline for when we would pursue that alternative. This will be a big year for that. I think we'll make key decisions this year." What also has a bright future is the mission of Sheppard. The general said Sheppard is the core of AETC's mission, training more than 50 percent of the command's technically trained Airmen. He added that it also has an important role in the pilot training arena. Leaders attending the conference had a first-hand look at portions of Sheppard's training mission with visits to the 361st Training Squadron's propulsion shop, the 366th Training Squadron's electrical and plumbing booths, and the 80th Flying Training Wing's flight simulator facility. Airmen in training at the 361st and 366th, as well as student pilots at the 80th FTW, were the key spokespersons at each stop providing briefs and hands-on training for those on the tour. "The Airmen that we are bringing into the Air Force today are the most capable, brightest young men and women we have ever brought into our service, and every one of them is a volunteer," he said. "As you talk to them and (about) their capabilities and their qualifications, you're just amazed at the number of them who have been to college or who have finished college, the number of them who are interested in going to college, the contributions they are making, and the leadership they demonstrate." The general and others at the conference also saw just how close and unique the relationship is between Sheppard and surrounding communities. A civic dinner, hosted in downtown Wichita Falls, Texas, at the Bridwell Ag Center, included a catered barbecue spread, a small-scale rodeo and the opportunity for AETC leaders, including General Rice, to wrangle in some doggies - cattle for the layman. General Rice said that experience showed him how unique and strong the relationship is between the Air Force and the Wichita Falls region. "It's been terrific," he said. "We've certainly enjoyed both the hospitality here on the base, as well as the community. We had a great dinner with the community and I think it underscores the wonderful partnership that exists here between the base and the communities that surround it."