Annual Retired General Officer Summit
Gen Stephen Lorenz, Air Education and Training Command commander, provides opening comments during the 35th annual Retired General Officer Summit. Ninety-three retired Air Force generals met June 17 at Randolph Air Force Base to learn about current Air Force training and education. (U.S. Air Force photo by Rich McFadden)
Annual Retired General Summit
Gen Stephen Lorenz, Air Education and Training Command commander, makes final comments to wrap-up the 35th annual Retired General Officer Summit held at Randolph Air Force Base June 17. (U.S. Air Force photo by Rich McFadden)
Annual Retired General Officer Summit
Gen Stephen Lorenz, Air Education and Training Command commander, addresses attendees at the 35th annual Retired General Officer Summit held at Randolph Air Force Base June 17. (U.S. Air Force photo by Rich McFadden)
Annual Retired General Officer Summit
Lt. Gen. Allen Peck (left), Air University commander, discusses the Remotely Piloted Aircraft program with (left to right) Lt. Col. Russell Garner, Maj. Mark Hand and SMSgt Michael Drees, 558th Flying Training Squadron. General Peck spoke at the 35th annual Retired General Officer Summit at Randolph Air Force Base June 17. (U.S. Air Force photo by Rich McFadden)
Annual Retired General Officer Summit
MSgt. Phillip Casillas, 149th Medical Group, registers retired Brig. Gen. Timothy Boddie into the Defense Biometric Identification System as retired Lt. Gen. Dale Thompson and retired Maj. Gen. Richard Smith look on. The generals registered in DBIDS during a break at the 35th annual Retired General Officer Summit at Randolph Air Force Base June 17. (U.S. Air Force photo by Rich McFadden)
Annual Retired General Officer Summit
Maj. Mark Hand, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Fundamentals Course director, briefs retired Brig. Gen. Charles Bishop on the Remotely piloted Aircraft program. General Bishop was at Randolph Air Force base attending the 35th annual Retired General Officer Summit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Rich McFadden)
Annual Retired General Officer Summit
Lt. Gen. Allen Peck, Air University commander, briefs members attending the Air Education and Training Command's 35th annual Retired General Officer Summit held at Randolph Air Force Base June 17. (U.S. Air Force photo by Rich McFadden)
Annual Retired General Officer Summit
Maj. Mark Hand, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Fundamentals Course director, briefs retires Brig. Gen. Dick Hearne on the Remotely Piloted Aircraft program. General Hearne was at Randolph Air Force Base attending the 35th annual Retired General Officer Summit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Rich McFadden)
Annual Retired General Officer Summit
General Stephen Lorenz, Air Education and Training Command commander, provides final comments to retired general officers during the 35th annual Retired General Officer Summit at Randolph Air Force Base June 17. The summit keeps retired generals informed about Air Force education and training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Rich McFadden)
Annual Retired General Officer Summit
Lt. Gen. Allen Peck, Air University commander, briefs members attending Air Education and Training Command's 35th annual Retired General Officer Summit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Rich McFadden)
Annual Retired General Officer Summit
Ninety-three retired Air Force generals gathered during Air Education and Training Command's 35th annual Retired Officer Summit at Randolph Air Force Base June 17. The summit keeps retired generals informed about the latest news in Air Force education and training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Rich McFadden)
By Kelly Parsons / Published June 21, 2010
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas,
Ninety-three retired Air Force general officers met at Randolph June 17th to attend Air Education and Training Command's 35th annual Retired General Officer Summit.
According to Jim Sturch, AETC director of event planning, the annual event keeps retired Air Force general officers up to date about current Air Force training and education.
Gen. Stephen Lorenz, AETC commander and Gen. Allen Peck, Air University commander, as well as other Air Force leaders briefed the group about current and future Air Force goals. Pilots from the 558th Flying Training Squadron spoke with attendees about the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Program and several participants registered into the new Defense Biometric Identification System.
When asked about the conference, retired Brig. Gen. Steve Shapiro said, "I think we are making tremendous strides forward into the 21st century, I'm very impressed by the leadership and the goals and missions that have been established and I am proud to be an ongoing member of the Air Force."
Retired Maj. Gen. Richard Smith echoed General Shapiro's comments by adding that, "technology is the big thing and where I see the Air Force heading is still with great young people".
General Smith added that he tries to visit Lackland Air Force Base for Basic Military Trainee graduations "just to watch those young American heroes."
Many retired general officers have been attending the summit for years. The conference not only keeps retired Air Force general officers informed, it helps them stay connected.
As former deputy surgeon general of the Air Force Jerry Sanders stated, "I renew old friendships. I feel like I'm still part of the force and it just gives you a warm feeling to know you are still included and thought about."
Knowledge gained at the summit helps these leaders communicate the Air Force message in their local communities.
"As a retired general officer in your home community, people look at you as a representative of the service and the Air Force and you get a lot of information which you can represent back home," said General Shapiro.
Several of the retired general officers seemed very impressed with the technological advances the Air Force has made with regard to simulators, distance education and remotely piloted aircraft.
"I would hate to have to compete today, this is a sharp group of people," said General Sanders.
