GAF FTC holds New Year's reception

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Robert Meints
  • German air force Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  On Feb. 2, Col. Frank Kiesel, commander of the German Air Force Flying Training Center, hosted his first New Year's reception here.

Numerous guests, civilian and military, attended the event held at the Raptors' Nest.

Colonel Kiesel, who had only recently assumed command of the Flying Training Center, welcomed the Mayor of Alamogordo, Ron Griggs, and the commander of the German air force Command United States and Canada, Col. Michael Kuhn, among other distinguished guests.

In his speech, Colonel Kiesel looked back on the past two years of flying training and training support. He described 2009 as a year of transition.

Colonel Kiesel confirmed that the present personnel strength would be retained for the time being, an objective that Colonel Kuhn expressed at the change of command ceremony last December. He also did not fail to mention the 55,555th flying hour accomplished by the GAF FTC at Holloman last October.

The underlying positive tenor of his speech was also fuelled by the fact that the GAF FTC had accomplished over 24,000 accident-free flying hours in six consecutive years, an accomplishment they were recognized for with the Flight Safety Certificate they received from the Chief of Staff of the German air force last year.

Wrapping up his speech, Colonel Kiesel expressed his thanks to all members of the German Air Force Flying Training Center for giving their best in the past year and contributing to the unit's success.

"My special thanks go out to those who have acted and continue to act as role models to others, thus motivating them to outstanding performance, and who in an exemplary manner, dedicate much of their time during the week, as well as on weekends, internally as well as outwardly, for the benefit and furtherance of the Training Center," he said.

He did not leave the speaker's stand, however, without confirming continuation of the long-standing tradition of Oktoberfest, which is scheduled for Sept. 25.