GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Col. Matthew Reilman, 17th Training Wing commander, held a commander’s call for 17th TRW personnel at the Powell Event Center, June 27.
During the commander’s call, Reilman emphasized the importance of reflecting on the past, recognizing our present, and focusing on the future direction of the 17th TRW. He emphasized the importance on recognizing where we have come from, noting that this year is the 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force and it is the 29th anniversary of the 17th TRW. Reilman also informed the physical and virtual audience that Goodfellow’s namesake as a military installation has been around for over 80-years, making it older than the Air Force. He also reminded the audience that the 17th TRW spans from coast to coast, training thousands of joint service personnel and members of allied nations each year in support of Department of Defense installations and missions across the globe.
During the commander’s call, Reilman also restated his priority on mental health and resiliency.
“It is still a national crisis,” Reilman said in reference to mental health. “We cannot say enough about what the operational medical element at the 17th Medical Group has done to take care of our Airmen and families. They have improved the intake of patients and giving people the help they need.”
Reilman said more mental health capability will be coming in 2023. Reilman is also focused on efforts to continue improving resiliency among Airmen and their families alongside their mental health.
“We are looking at what we can do in the next year to help deliver world class training because that’s what were here to do,” said Reilman. “We develop and build up civilians, enlisted and officers to be more resilient.”
Reilman circled back to his focus on the future and welcomed Master Sgt. Jennifer Thurman, 316th Training Squadron strategic curriculum developer, as the guest speaker. Thurman spoke on the threat of China as a strategic competitor.
“Nature of the adversary is one of the key things we need to understand,” said Thurman. “It is not an intel problem; this is a DoD problem.”
Thurman emphasized how history shows China’s preference for local informatized war and strategic maneuvering rather than wars of attrition.
In summary, members of the 17th TRW gained a greater understanding of its past, present, and future. The event also provided an opportunity for attendees to learn more about the importance of mental health support resources and resiliency as well as China’s ever increasing role as a strategic competitor with the U.S.