Col. Jinnette onboard Team XL

  • Published
  • By 2d Lt. Angela Martin
  • 47th Flying Training Wing public affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas - --  The 47th Flying Training Wing's recent change of command brought Col. James Jinnette onboard Team XL as the wing's vice commander.

"I'm so enthusiastic to again be part of a base with so much energy and playing on a team which has such a laser-sharp focus on our mission," said Jinnette.

Jinnette began his career at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., where he completed pilot training and served as a first assignment instructor pilot flying the T-38 Talon.

"Meredith and I spent our first years in the Air Force at Columbus in an environment very similar to this and loved every minute of it, so it's fantastic for us to be back again," said Jinnette. "I love to fly jets and I love to teach others how to enjoy it as much as I do."

After completing his assignment as a FAIP, Jinnette went on to fly more than 3,300 hours as a command pilot. During three deployments flying over Iraq and Afghanistan, Jinnette accomplished 699 combat hours in the F-15E Strike Eagle.

As a first assignment T-38 flight commander, Jinnette developed a leadership sight-picture emphasizing mission, mutual support and flight discipline and has continually emphasized this message throughout his career.

"I stressed those three things as a young FAIP and as an F-15E operations officer and commander in fighter squadrons deployed downrange," said Jinnette. "Amazingly, they coincide directly with our wing commander's current guidance to train, deploy and develop disciplined leaders."

Jinnette explained exactly how his three elements fit with the 47th FTWs missions. The first element of mission focus fits with our Laughlin mission to train world-class pilots. Secondly, our wing mutually supports the joint team by deploying mission ready Airmen. Furthermore, a critical element of developing disciplined, professional leaders here at Laughlin is to instill a strong sense of job discipline, regardless of career field.

"These three elements are timeless and when we keep our minds on them, we all win both at home and in combat," said Jinnette. "I believe every member of our team is critical and I believe focusing together on these elements makes us a winning organization."

As the wing's vice commander, Jinnette declared his personal dedication to the wing's mission.

"I want to do everything I can here to help our awesome wing succeed at our mission. As Col. Murphy amplified, we're here to graduate the world's greatest pilots, deploy ready Airmen to the fight and develop disciplined leaders," said Jinnette. "We will do everything in our power here at Laughlin to ensure we all do exactly that, in line with our wing commander's vision, and I'm fired up to be part of that vision."