LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- It was recently announced that Col. Mike Minahan has been selected as Executive Officer to U.S. European Command Deputy Commander Vice Admiral Richard Gallagher at USEUCOM Headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. Colonel Minahan will be replaced by Col. John W. Doucette, who is currently serving as Vice Commander of the 33d Fighter Wing at Eglin AFB, Fla.
Colonel Minahan will soon leave Laughlin after nearly two years leading the Air Education and Training Command's premier pilot training base. Under his command, Laughlin has turned out nearly 700 of the world's best trained pilots in support of the Global War On Terror.
Though the colonel is excited about his new posting, he laments having to leave the Laughlin Airmen he's come to know and love during his tour here. "You know, I have the best job in the whole world," said Colonel Minahan during a recent monthly Enlisted Recognition Ceremony. "You guys are the best Airmen in the world, serving in the finest air and space force our world has ever known - and with each and every great thing you accomplish, it's an honor for me to be a part of it."
Mrs. Kelly Minahan is equally excited with the news, but saddened it means she'll be leaving great friends behind. "It's a bittersweet thing--I've just cherished the opportunities we've had to get to know the people here at Laughlin and Del Rio," she said. "The partnership between the base and community is just amazing--we've loved our time here."
USEUCOM is a unified combatant command with a command structure consisting of members from each of the uniformed military services. USEUCOM is considered a regional combatant command, responsible for all of Europe and parts of the Middle East.
Due to take command at Laughlin Dec. 4, Colonel Doucette brings a wealth of experience as a command pilot with more than 2,500 hours in the F-15C, A/T-38B, T-38, and T-37. Additionally, the colonel has held numerous staff and command positions in the Continental United States, Europe and the Far East.
Colonel Doucette's official Air Force Biography can be viewed at: www.33fw.acc.af.mil/library/biographies/bio.asp?id=9954.