A dynamic wing, New 37th TRW commander amazed with mission

  • Published
  • By Mike Joseph
  • Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Public Affairs
9/19/2012 --  JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- It took less than a week for the 37th Training Wing, with its diverse training missions, to make an impression on its new commander.

Col. Mark Camerer, a command pilot with more than 3,700 flight hours, took command Sept. 4, calling it an honor to lead the Air Force's largest training wing.

"This is a dynamic wing," said Camerer. "I'm impressed by the scope, complexity and diversity of the mission within the 37th TRW.

"I knew but didn't fully realize how many people are in the Lackland training pipeline. At some point, every Airman in the Air Force is trained at Lackland by a 37th TRW member. It's inspiring," he added.

Camerer, who arrived at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland after leading the 436th Airlift Wing at Dover Air Force Base, Del., for the past 20 months, believes the Air Force is built on its core values.

"Adherence to our core values of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do is the foundation of our Air Force," said Camerer. "Upon this foundation we can build a culture where absolute professionalism is the standard, and setting the standard starts with me. I want my Airmen to be able to say, 'When I think of absolute  professionalism, I have to look no further than my commander.'

"I expect each of my commanders to display absolute professionalism," he added. "I want it to permeate down to every frontline supervisor so that every junior Airman or trainee in our wing can say, 'I only have to look to my instructor to see absolute  professionalism.'"

In light of recent sexual assault charges, subsequent investigations and courts martial involving Air Force basic military training instructors, Camerer said his heart goes out to the victims. Sexual assault is a crime, violates the Air Force Core Values and negatively
impacts combat capability, he said.

"I am committed to ensuring a safe and healthy environment for our trainees," said the new commander. "At this point, the wing's biggest challenge is to move forward and regain the nation's trust. That's a top priority. We need to put into place effective processes and procedures that ensure this never happens again.

"I've met with the Military Training Instructor Corps. They are proud of what they do and understand the importance of their commitment to uphold the highest standards," he said. "Working together we will ensure that these high standards will permeate throughout the organization."

Commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Wyoming, Camerer visited Lackland previously in 1987. His ROTC flight lived and trained for four weeks out of a Recruit Housing and Training facility, like those currently used to house basic trainees.

Scattered about the base and in use by BMT for nearly 50 years, the antiquated RH&Ts will soon become a thing of the past. Trainees will begin moving into new Airman Training Complexes over the next several months.

"I look forward to touring the new ATCs soon," Camerer said. "The buildings we work out of now predate me and my time in the Air Force. The construction of these much-needed facilities demonstrates the Air Force's commitment to our training mission. It's great to know the Air Force puts value in what we do."

As wing commander, Camerer said his job is to appropriately organize, adequately
train, and properly equip the men and women under his charge.

"Anything worth doing is worth doing well. Why not be the best at it?" said Camerer. "One thing I've learned is that when people realize what they do is important and when they understand how much their contribution matters, they work really hard to be the best.
"Every chance I get, I want to tell people, 'Thank you, what you do is important. You are the core of the Air Force and your daily mission matters,'" he said. "It shapes who we are as an Air Force and a Nation."