New to the wing, but no stranger to Scott

Published April 14, 2010
By Bekah Clark
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Air Mobility Command was only four-years-old when Capt. Kevin Webb arrived for his first assignment at Scott Air Force Base as the Chief of the Airlift Contingency Branch in the equally young 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center.

Now, nearly 14 years and five more assignments to Scott later, the newly promoted Col. Kevin Webb finds himself in the co-pilot seat as the Vice Commander of the 375th Air Mobility Wing.

Colonel Webb took time Monday to answer a few questions about his new role and impression of the 375th AMW and its Airmen.

This is your sixth assignment at Scott - how do you feel that your depth of experience with the base will help you in your new position?

Every job I've had on this base will benefit me in my new role. The twist on it though is that this is the first time I've been assigned to the 375th. Before now, I've been a customer of this wing every time I've been here. Now I get to be an active team member--it's going to be different. When I drive around the base now, I look at it with new eyes. I see things as our responsibility--my responsibility--as opposed to driving by and thinking "Oh, that could be different or that needs to be fixed."

What part of your new position are you most looking forward to?

Working with the Airmen and seeing the wing through a new point of view. The people make the job, no matter what job you're in. We don't send special Airmen to specific bases--Airmen just bloom where there planted, and the Airmen of the 375th have done just that. They make this place what it is. I look forward to getting out and meeting the people who make the mission here happen, including our Total Force partners.

If you could accomplish only one goal during your time as the Vice Commander of the 375th AMW, what would it be and why?

I'm in a Batman and Robin kind of role--and I'm Robin. So my No. 1 goal is to support Col. Goldstone in accomplishing the wing's mission by enabling his vision.

The Air Force affords us many opportunities for travel, experiences and meeting new people.

What have been some of your favorite Air Force moments?

Wow, I have a lot of them. From being a second lieutenant getting to spend time with now retired Maj. Gen. Chuck Yeager, the first pilot to travel faster than sound, and Burt Rutan, a noted American aerospace engineer, at Oshkosh as part of AirVenture, to getting to go to several Nascar races with general officers and work right in the pits.

How many people get to do that as a part of a TDY?

I've flown T-38s against F-117s in training, and I've flown around the world several times in different weapons systems--namely the C-17s and C-5s. But it always comes back to the people who you're there doing it with--you're never doing it by yourself--so sharing those moments with great Air Force people really is what made the moments what they were.

What specific assignment or person has had the biggest impact on your career?

As a lieutenant, Col. Ron Beasley was my detachment commander at Nellis AFB, Nev. He was the first one who shared and exemplified the concept of the Air Force family with me and what it meant to be a part of that family. He was a big factor in shaping my Air Force career. I've stayed in touch with him throughout the years, and he and his wife have been mentors to me and my wife, Sandra. In fact, he wasn't able to be present for my promotion ceremony to colonel but we were able to give him a number to dial in so he could be on the line while I pinned on.

Obviously, the opportunity to work for great Air Force leaders like Generals Johns, Lichte and Welser impacted my career tremendously. Each of those assignments, all here at Scott, afforded me the opportunity to soak up their leadership styles and what it means to be a leader.

What is the role that families play in Airmen's careers?

You've heard it said that the Air Force recruits the Airman, but retains the Air Force family and that is absolutely true.

It's the family who stays here while the Airman deploys. It's the family who stays here and takes care of the home front while the Airman goes off and does his or her job. And in cases where the family is taken care of and the active duty member doesn't have to worry about them while they're gone--that's tremendous. But I don't think this should be something we focus on for only this year. We should recognize our families--their service and sacrifices--every day! I encourage everyone to go out and explain their mission and its importance to their families. There are so many family members--moms, dads, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, children--who don't know what their family member is doing for their country, for their family. I think it's important for our Airmen to get out and spread the word about what they're doing.

Is there anything you'd like to share with the 375th AMW Airmen?

Coming into this assignment after having five previous assignments to Scott and getting to watch--albeit from a bit of a distance--the Airmen of the 375th prepare for and perform in the ORI was absolutely incredible. And to see them perform as well as they did--that was even more incredible. I know that I'm joining an A+ team here, and I look forward to being a contributing part of that team right along with them.

Fun facts

Hometown: Valdosta, Ga. aka God's Country
Family: I have a wife, Sandra; and two sons, Michael, a college freshman, and Dock, a high school sophomore.
Favorite sports team: The Atlanta Braves, but I'm also a huge Cardinals fan. At one point my cousin played for the Cardinals.
Favorite band: For country, Alabama, for the old stuff, Lynard Skynard, and for newer music, I like Blink 182 - music along those lines. I am also a fan of Flogging Molly.
Favorite movie: Talladega Nights.
Favorite book: Made to Stick by Dan and Chip Heath.
Perfect day: Road trips with the family, or relaxing with the family on the back deck.