Training director retires with 46 years of service Published June 23, 2010 By Stephen Hoffmann Keesler News staff KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Harry Wright Jr., 81st Training Group, retires Wed-nesday after 26 years in civil service and 20 years of active duty in the Air Force. Mr. Wright serves as the base training flow manager and oversees the work of 29 training managers in seven training squadrons. Mr. Wright joined the Air Force in 1963 and served in Vietnam from 1970-1972. In addition to Keesler, his other military assignments were at Chanute Air Force Base, Ill.; Minot AFB, N.D.; Hancock AFB and Griffiss AFB, N.Y.; Mather AFB and McClellan AFB, Calif.; and Misawa Air Base, Japan. He arrived at Keesler in 1978 as an instructor in the 3390th Technical Training Group. Mr. Wright began his civil service career in 1984. He served as an instructor, instructor supervisor, training specialist and training manager with the 3395th and 3390th TTGs, 81st Training Support Squadron, 333rd Training Squadron prior to moving to his current assignment. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, Mr. Wright spearheaded efforts to design a spreadsheet that enabled training managers and leaders throughout the training group to track and manage scarce bed space. Mr. Wright was instrumental in restoring training five months ahead of initial projections. He was recognized with the Award for Civilian Achievement for Katrina econstitution. As adviser to the group commander and director of training, he serves as liaison between squadrons and headquarters to resolve production issues for almost 300 courses graduating approximately 24,000 students annually. Mr. Wright collaborates with 2nd Air Force and Air Education and Training Command headquarters to design production processes and implement improved methods for tracking students from recruitment through graduation. He and his wife, Susan, have two sons, Dennis and Gary, and three grandchildren.