Col Axelbank reflects on tenure as commander

  • Published
  • By Mike Joseph
When the current 37th Training Wing commander took over during the change of command ceremony in June 2011, he said, "There's no other place I'd rather be than right here, right now."

After his first full day as wing commander, Col. Eric Axelbank went a step further, saying, "There's no better place than the 37th Training Wing."

Axelbank undoubtedly will express those same sentiments when he hands the 37th TRW reins to Col. Mark Camerer Tuesday morning at 8:37 a.m. in the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Gateway Club.

Reflecting back, the colonel said his views about the wing, with its primary basic and technical training missions, were affirmed during his 15 months as commander.

"This has to be the most exciting and rewarding job for a wing commander," said Axelbank, who leaves for Headquarters Air Force at the Pentagon. "I have absolutely enjoyed my time at Lackland, and look forward to seeing the wing achieve greater heights in the coming years. I'm proud to be a small part of wing history."

He called the 37th TRW's ratings following last spring's Air Education and Training Command Compliance Inspection one of the highlights of his Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland assignment.

"We hit it out of the ballpark and I couldn't be more proud of the Warhawks,"
said Axelbank about the inspection. "We achieved an 'Excellent' overall rating."

The ratings served to validate his vision for the wing - "The Training Standard of Excellence."

"My vision was to be inclusive, something everyone could buy into, because we have six groups with very diverse mission sets," he said. "I think they did that from our compliance inspection ratings. As I look back on where we are now, and whether or not we've achieved 'The Training Standard of Excellence,' I would emphatically say: Yes!"

Construction on the first of four Airman Training Complexes with two dining/classroom facilities for basic military training didn't start and won't finish during Axelbank's tenure. But it did mandate the time and attention of wing leadership.

"Their completion will be exciting for the wing, command, and the Air Force," he said. "I'm proud to have been a part of the construction and guiding process."

In revealing a Dec. 7 grand opening ceremony for ATC No. 1 and DCF No. 1, Axelbank also said a September groundbreaking will kick off construction on a new BMT reception center. The new center, just off Truemper Street, will be adjacent to the ATC complex, projected for completion in the summer of 2013.

The 21-year veteran said pride was the common theme within the 37th TRW. "It's the pride that all training instructors, commanders and base personnel have to produce quality Airmen."

That pride and professionalism is displayed weekly, he said, as the Air Force's newest Airmen graduate from basic military training and head to their technical training schools.

"The Air Force and the wing have traversed some rough waters recently, but that doesn't diminish what we do to bring exceptional Airman into the Air Force each week," he said.

"It was awe-inspiring when I got here, and that feeling has not dissipated a single bit - it's grown," said Axelbank. "The excitement and pride in the new Airmen and their families every Friday at graduation is something I'll miss."

Axelbank said the 37th TRW and the mission partners who form Joint Base San Antonio work together to build transparency between the organizations.

"We've faced challenges with joint basing, but here at Lackland you wouldn't know it because the teamwork we share makes it work," he said. "All the consummate professionals at Lackland are dedicated and committed to producing the world's finest nest Airmen. That's not lost on any organization here.

"Every employee on this base - it doesn't matter where you are or what you do - should take pride in their positive, meaningful and lasting impact on the Air Force. Be proud of it," he said.

"I want to thank the Warhawks and all the Lackland mission partners for their great support."