Glad to be back; New 37th TRW vice commander returns to JBSA-Lackland Published Sept. 14, 2012 By Mike Joseph JBSA-Lackland Public Affairs 9/14/2012 -- JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- The new 37th Training Wing vice commander is no stranger to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Col. Vincent Fisher returns to San Antonio after 11 years. "It's so good to be back," said Fisher, "My family and I really enjoy Lackland and San Antonio, and we love being part of the Lackland community. "Everyone has been so welcoming, and that makes a huge difference," he said. "As a commander, you're always thinking about taking care of your Airmen; it's part of the job. So it means a lot when people take care of us like they have since we've been here." A lot has changed since Fisher left JBSA-Lackland's Headquarters Air Force Security Forces Center in 2001. In addition to becoming a joint base, what immediately caught the Mississippi native's eye since becoming vice commander in July was the growth in mission sets, new base housing and the ongoing construction. "The 37th TRW has a lot of moving parts," Fisher said. "When I was here before, the wing had four groups; now we've got six. The mission to provide basic and technical training to the best Airmen in the world has always been at the core of what we do at Lackland. The 37th TRW also trains international partners and Air Force air liaison officers to help strengthen coalition relationships. "And there's a lot more construction activity happening with the new Airman Training Complexes going up. The landscape is changing day to day, and it's impressive," he said. However, it's what Fisher envisions for trainees, their families and the wing through his second-floor office window at 37th TRW headquarters that grabs his attention. "I look out and see change across the base," he said. "I see cranes, construction crews and new facilities going up that will help improve training and the quality of life for our Basic Military Training personnel. "Every Thursday and Friday, I see new Airmen about to start their lives. I watch those Airmen lead their family around the parade field and think maybe a few months back it was the family who was leading; now it's reversed. Those are all changes," he added. Since his arrival following 12 months at Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., the career security forces officer has been focused on the wing maintaining a "battle rhythm." "'Battle rhythm' means ensuring we have a standard process for doing business within the wing," Fisher said. "I want to help keep that rhythm so we can effectively achieve our mission while also being good mission partners within the joint base community." Fisher also spends time stressing the importance of education to young Airmen around base. He and his wife regularly attend the monthly 37th Training Group technical training student birthday dinners. It's another chance for the couple to share their experience. "I took every advantage to get a higher education," said Fisher, who holds a bachelor's and three master's degrees. "My wife Lesia and I try to impart into young Airmen to get an education - don't wait. "I tell them it's not going to be ice cream and cookies. It's tough," he said. "There will be points of opportunity. Get it (education) out of the way because the military, life and family will soon all be vying for your attention." Fisher said his job for the next two years is to support the absolute professional men and women of the 37th TRW. "My grandfather would always say that you are either fishing or baiting the hook," he said. "We all have a job to do that's important to mission accomplishment. I look forward to working with the Warhawk team to be the best Airmen in the United States Air Force."