Commander focuses on people, evolving missions

by Master Sgt. Anthony Davis
1st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

5/10/2007 - LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- Although he appreciates the rich heritage of the 1st Fighter Wing, his real focus is on its people.

Now on his third tour at Langley, Col. Mark Barrett leads a wing that has integrated with the 192nd Air National Guard and is moving toward joint basing with Fort Eustis. The changes continue while the wing is actively engaged in the Global War on Terror.

"We have to make sure we're ready to deploy and support whatever our commanders ask us to do," Colonel Barrett said. "We have to take care of our people and make sure they've got the tools and training they need."

Colonel Barrett, who assumed command April 30, takes over the Air Force's first operational F-22A Raptor wing during a time of transition and says he's looking forward to the daily challenges.

"I've always enjoyed being around people who fly airplanes and fix airplanes and perform the support that's required," said Col. Mark Barrett. "I look forward to meeting as many of the people as I can and getting to know them."

The colonel has been part of the F-22's initiation as the world's most advanced fighter aircraft. He commanded the 325th Operations Group at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., when the 43rd Fighter Squadron was reactivated in October 2002. The newest Raptor pilots now train at the 43rd FS.

"We face tremendous challenges as we mature this weapon system," he said about the Raptor. "We went through (Initial Operational Capability) and we still have (Full Operational Capability) to go."

"We also have to look to the long-term care and feeding of the F-15 weapon system," he added. "It's been around for a long time and it's going to be around for a few more years."

As a command pilot, Colonel Barrett has logged more than 4,200 hours, most of them in the F-15C. His Eagle experience includes commanding the 493rd Fighter Squadron at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom.

Throughout his career, he's found success by keeping his focus on taking care of the people who do the job.

"While aircraft and technology have changed, one thing has remained constant; the innovation and unconstrained thinking of our Airmen," Colonel Barrett said during the change of command ceremony. "Airmen are not constrained by mountains, valleys or shore lines, and they've always kept a global perspective. Today our 1st Wing Airmen are deployed in the Pacific, Southwest Asia and all parts of the world providing this perspective and defending our nation."

Commander's main goal is to put people first

BY STEPHANIE HEINATZ
247-7821
May 14, 2007

Q: At the same time the Air Force is being asked to help out in Iraq, it is reducing the overall size of the force. What's the impact there?

A: The decision was made to provide money to modernize our Air Force. It's no different from your car, your house, or your computer. It gets old, obsolete and more expensive to run.

Unless the American people give the Department of Defense more money, which is unlikely with the war going on right now, the Air Force has to make some tough choices. We gave up some personnel, so we could do some of the other things we wanted to do. It means fewer people and less money at our bases.

Q: Before you came to Langley you worked at the Pentagon as the executive officer for the chief of staff. Did that give you any unique insight?

A: I've been able to listen to the reasons behind the decisions that are made. That helps me to explain to our airmen and our community why it is important to have an F-22, why it is important to train the way we train.

Q: What are your goals for the wing?

A: We are at war. We need to prepare to offer our people, our weapons systems, anything that we have to support that effort.

I have to take care of the airmen deployed in the war. I have to ensure they are mentally and physically ready to go. That's a big challenge, one that our wing commanders are facing everyday.

Q: Will there be any new initiatives for families or veterans?

A: The bottom line is we must take care of our people. With the deployments, with folks gone for three months, we really have to take care of their families.

I need to make sure our wounded airmen get the proper care. I want to make sure that care is first class. It hasn't been a problem at Langley but I want to make sure we stay on top of that.