AETC commander visits Laughlin, imparts wisdom on Team XL

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Austin M. May
  • 47th Flying Training Wing public affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  "I am now a better commander of Air Education and Training Command for having visited Laughlin Air Force Base," said Gen. Stephen Lorenz, AETC commander, wrapping up his 24-hour visit to Laughlin Oct. 21.

General Lorenz, who arrived at the base for the first time in his 35-year Air Force career Oct. 20, said he learned a lot from Laughlin's "impressive mission and people."

"The support here is phenomenal," he said.

During his tour of Laughlin's units and facilities, the general got a feel for how Team XL operates and was given a snapshot of day-to-day life in the 47th Flying Training Wing.

The general commented on being the new leader of the "First Command," and said it is an awesome responsibility, but the real leaders are the instructors in AETC.

"The instructor corps, whether at basic military training or pilot training or anywhere else, really have a chance to shape Airmen," he said. "Those are the people who affect lives.

"They are the luckiest people in the Air Force," he continued. "Instructors have the opportunity to set an example, and whether that's a good example or a bad example is entirely up to them. But no matter what they instruct, they can be excited every day when they wake up because they get the chance to make someone better than they were at the beginning of the day."

The general added that instructors leave such an impression on those they teach, they will always be remembered by their students.

As he has demonstrated with his "Lorenz on Leadership" articles featured on the AETC public website, General Lorenz takes a strong stance on building leaders. He said instructors have the opportunity to instill leadership values in their students from the very beginning, something he sees as extremely fortunate for them.

"Aren't we fortunate to be here," he said. "The Air Force lets ordinary people do extraordinary things."

Expanding on the subject of Airmen doing extraordinary things, General Lorenz expressed his pride in the job AETC members are doing daily in operational theaters around the globe.

"AETC has personnel serving all over the world," he said. "We are working in multiple nations, serving several Joint Service Combatant Commanders around the globe."

In fact, there is no part of the Air Force AETC doesn't touch, he said.

"It's amazing what we do. AETC Airmen everywhere are making a daily impact on the rest of the Air Force," General Lorenz said.

It's not just AETC Airmen affecting the Air Force as a whole. General Lorenz acknowledged and praised the civilian force working at Laughlin to ensure Team XL's mission is accomplished every day.

"The Air Force is made up of several entities," he explained. "There are uniformed service members, civil service workers and of course, contractors all working hard together toward a common goal."

While at Laughlin, General Lorenz made his way to several units and areas of the base. In one stop, he gave the newest members of the Air Force community an opportunity to talk to him and listen to his advice.

At the enlisted dormitories, the general was greeted by Airman 1st Class Jenny Zheng, Dorm Council vice president, before talking to a group of dorm residents.

The Airman said General Lorenz had a profound impact on not only her career, but her life. In fact, it was his words about how every time we meet someone we could be impacting their lives that resounded with Airman Zheng the most.

"When he said we never know when we'll make a difference in someone's life, that really stuck with me," she said. "That idea will definitely have an influence on my life and the way I interact with others. Sometimes we take for granted our interactions with peers, but after listening to General Lorenz speak, I am going to make every effort to fix that."