37th TRW vice commander’ reflects on JBSA-Lackland assignment

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas — When the 37th Training Wing vice commander reflected recently on his two years at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, the word "wonderful" kept popping up in the conversation.

"My time at [JBSA-] Lackland was wonderful," said Col. Vincent Fisher, whose last day as 37th TRW vice commander is Friday (July 25). "It was very demanding when I first got here because there was a lot going on in the wing, but I have to say my experience here was wonderful. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

"The people here have been absolutely wonderful," he said. "My family enjoyed it here - the Lackland schools and the base programs. My wife Lesia and our three children all loved it here."

Fisher will be replaced as 37th TRW vice commander by Col. Kendra Mathews, who arrived on base July 18 from Joint Base Elmendorf -Richardson, Alaska. Mathews was the Alaskan Command director for logistics.

The outgoing vice commander believes the future is bright for the Air Force's largest training wing.

"I'm excited about where the wing is going," he said. "Col. Camerer (now Brig. Gen. Mark Camerer, former 37th TRW commander) brought us to new heights and Col. Edwards (Col. Trent Edwards, who assumed command from Camerer in June) has a vision to take us even further. I've enjoyed serving him in the short amount of amount he's been here."

Fisher said one of his duties as vice commander was serving on the JBSA Central Registry Board for domestic and family issues. The board would listen to cases, then make sure the unit and helping agencies were involved to provide the family support that was needed.

"It was a rewarding and fulfilling duty," he said.

Two events he and his wife thoroughly enjoyed were Fiesta and the monthly enlisted birthday celebrations.

He said Fiesta was "absolutely wonderful," especially the opportunity to interact with the people of San Antonio in its largest cultural event.

"I'm from outside New Orleans and the people in San Antonio know how to throw a party," Fisher said. "They do it safely, they do it respectfully and they have a family flavor to it. It was huge for us getting to meet the people and understand the charitable side of Fiesta.

"The monthly birthday celebration is a great function," he said. "It was absolutely awesome. Lesia and I did it together. We enjoyed being with the young Airmen; it was special to us. And the staff there was absolutely wonderful."

The 23-year service member is looking forward to his next assignment in Air Force Global Strike Command at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. He will be the command's deputy director for maintenance, security contracting and civil engineering.

Fisher said the move to Barksdale is like going home.

"This will be my second assignment there," he said. "My core background and experience is nuclear weapons and nuclear weapon security.

"My wife is from that area and our first child was born there. We're going home and looking forward to it."