Colonel Doucette takes Laughlin’s reins

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Olufemi A. Owolabi
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  On Tuesday, the 47th Flying Training Wing welcomed its new commander during a change-of-command ceremony here.

Col. John "Deuce" Doucette took command of the 47th FTW from outgoing commander, Col. Mike Minahan, during a ceremony at the T-6 Hanger I.

Colonel Minahan will be heading to Germany for his new assignment as the Executive Officer to Vice Admiral Richard Gallagher, U.S. European Command Deputy Commander, at USEUCOM Headquarters in Stuttgart.

The ceremony was presided over by the 19th Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Irving L. Halter, who passed the wing guidon to Colonel Doucette.

Colonel Doucette, an F-15 Eagle pilot, comes to Laughlin from the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., where he was vice wing commander.

In his first address to XLers, the new commander praised Laughlin members for their accomplishments throughout the year.

"In the short conversations I've had with Colonel Minahan, your accomplishments are impressive," he said. "Your country and your Air Force have asked a lot of you, and you have delivered."

The colonel, who was accompanied by his wife, Janette, said he is very excited to be here considering it had been a few years since the family had lived in Texas. The have three children, Kelsey, Cameron and Grayson.

"We are looking forward to getting back to our southwest roots," Colonel Doucette said, "and becoming part of the wonderful community in Del Rio."

As the commander of a Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training unit in Air Education and Training Command, Colonel Doucette is now charged with the leadership of a flying operation that exceeds 96,000 flying hours and 60,000 sorties per year. The unit operates 252 training aircraft, including the T-38, AT-38, T-1, and T-6.

"As the war on terror continues, our country will continue to rely on Air Power, and on us to produce the world's finest pilots," he said. "There's no wing in the Air Force that does much more to teach, train and prepare our nation's young warriors, and we will continue to do what we do best because America's Air Power starts here."

His command responsibilities include nearly 3,000 Air Force and civilian personnel, and the morale and welfare of a total base community exceeding 6,000 people.

"I am so privileged and honored to be a member of Team XL," Colonel Doucette said. "I look forward to serving you and serving with you."

The new leader for Laughlin earned his commission after graduating officer training School in 1986. Since then, he's commanded an operations group, has flown several combat missions during Operation Desert Shield, Desert Storm, provide Comfort and Northern Watch.