Leahy takes command at 2nd AF

  • Published
  • By Angelique Smythe
  • 81st Training Wing Public Affairs

Maj. Gen. Timothy Leahy took command of 2nd Air Force from Maj. Gen. Bob LaBrutta during a change of command ceremony at the Levitow Training Support Facility parade field here, Aug. 23.

Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, commander of Air Education and Training Command, presided over the ceremony.

Second Air Force provides training for more than 265 Air Force specialties for 150,000 Defense Department and international student graduates annually.

 

Leahy is now responsible for the development, oversight and direction of all operational aspects of basic military training, initial skills training, and advanced technical training of all Air Force enlisted members and support officers.

 

Traditionally, the changing of command authority is represented symbolically by passing of the guidon. After Roberson received the guidon from LaBrutta, he passed it to Leahy. At that moment, Leahy officially took command of 2nd AF.

In his speech, Roberson praised LaBrutta, thanked him for all his great work, and introduced Leahy as the new commander.

Leahy said he and his family are excited to be at Keesler AFB.

“We call the Gulf Coast home,” Leahy said. “As a career special operations officer, I have spent a large amount of time on the Gulf Coast right down the road at Hurlbert Field, Florida. . . . So coming back to the coast feels like coming home.”

The former special operations commander said he’s looking forward to working with the members of 2nd AF.

“It’s about the people; it’s about these young Airmen that are going to continue to move on, continue to serve and continue to do great things,” he said.

Leahy previously served as commander of the LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education and vice commander of the Air University at Maxwell AFB, Alabama.

Leahy, who describes his leadership style as very personal, said he is all about interacting with people one on one and “an absolute fan of getting out to talk with people.”

He wants Airmen to know he cares about what’s really important to them.

Leahy added that he wants to “know what [the Airmen] know, what they think they know, and what they really need in order to push forward” to accomplish the mission.