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80th FTW vice says farewell to the Air Force

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Valerie Hosea
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  After 26 years of serving our nation, Col. Daniel Torweihe, 80th Flying Training Wing vice commander, will say goodbye to Sheppard and to the Air Force as he celebrates his retirement during a ceremony held here Oct. 2.

"There are assignments in different places and different things to do when you're there. But what you remember most are the people," Colonel Torweihe said. "Sheppard has been really good about the concept of Team Sheppard. They have the best base-community relationship that I've seen."

The colonel said he will be retiring to Colorado Springs, Colo., and is excited about spending time with his family.

"I've physically been apart from my family for nine years. I've missed six Christmases and the births of all of my children, so now I'm looking forward to spending time with them and making up for lost time," he said.

Colonel Torweihe served his last two years in the Air Force at Sheppard, contributing to many of the significant changes seen at the 80th FTW and the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program, the world's only internationally manned and managed undergraduate pilot training program.

The colonel listed some of the changes including a new syllabus created for the ENJJPT program, the T-37 retirement and the division of two squadrons.

"The ENJJPT program now has a new syllabus that suits the needs and wants of the students from all 13 nations who attend it. It's sort of like a one-size-fits-all program because it's a lot more flexible to its people," he said.

"We chose to retire one aircraft to use another more modern aircraft, which will produce a better pilot in the end, and the division of the two squadrons gave our guys a better span of control which helps everyone in those squadrons," the colonel said.

Colonel Torweihe also created the function for a position new to the 80th FTW.
"Being the first vice commander for this wing, I had to define that role. Focusing on the day-to-day operations took a lot off the wing commander by allowing him to focus more on the big picture," he said.

Colonel Torweihe said he hopes that the new vice commander will enjoy every day because the time goes by very quickly and this is a great opportunity to make a difference.