Group honors retiring first Reserve flying training manager

  • Published
  • By Debbie Gildea, 340th Flying Training Group Public Affairs

The 340th Flying Training Group honored Lt. Col. Timothy S. Chapman, the first Air Force Reserve Undergraduate Flying Training Program manager, during his Aug. 29 retirement ceremony officiated by Col. Allen E. Duckworth, group commander, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas.

In addition to retirement orders, presidential certificates and mementos presented by teammates, Chapman - whose retirement culminated 25 years of service – was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding and historical service as the first undergraduate flying training program manager and detachment commander.

Chapman led a 10-member staff and five liaison officers in managing the annual $200-million, 640-student program that earned kudos as the Air Force Reserve Command nominee for the General Kinney Lessons Learned, General Welsh One Air Force and Chief of Staff Team Excellence awards.

The colonel shared his career and journey - which began as an enlisted aircraft maintenance specialist, and included academic degree completion, accepting a commission into the officer corps, selection for pilot training, flying the C-130 Hercules, and teaching Airmen to fly - with wife Christa and sons Zack, Sammy, Nate and Ben.

Recently hired by a commercial airline, Chapman relinquished leadership of the UFT to Lt. Col. Michael McMillan, T-1 Jayhawk instructor pilot formerly assigned to the 39th Flying Training Squadron at JBSA-Randolph.