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20th Air Force vice commander retires after 30 years of service

  • Published
  • By Capt. Angela Webb
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  Air Force Global Strike Command bids farewell to Col. Gary W. Pond, 20th Air Force vice commander, during his retirement ceremony at the Trail's End club here at 3 p.m. today.

Having served 30 years, Colonel Pond reflected on his career and the people he has met along the way.

"It was not my intention to make it a career; I wanted to make captain and then get out," said Colonel Pond. "But then I made major, then lieutenant colonel, and as things progressed, here I am, 30 years later at my retirement and doing it reluctantly."

The people of F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., and those in the community made a huge impact on Colonel Pond and his family throughout the years. Colonel Pond was the 90th Transportation Squadron commander, 90th Missile Wing vice commander and today he retires as the 20th AF vice commander.

"All my assignments have been very good, but the assignments at Warren are at the top of my list," he said. "Being stationed here is one of the most unique and rewarding opportunities of my life; the people I have met here and those we have become close to will be greatly missed."

Those who have worked with Colonel Pond only have the utmost respect for him. They respect him as a boss, but also as a friend.

"He has done a little bit of everything in his 30-year career to include operations, maintenance, transportation, protocol and legislative liaison," said Blaine McAlpin, 20th Air Force technical director. "He has a unique ability to see the big picture, focus on priorities, and relate to people, no matter what the situation is. 20th Air Force and the larger Air Force will miss him tremendously."

Throughout his assignments at Warren, his favorite times include when he was the Cheyenne Frontier Days military liaison for three years.

"My most memorable moment at Warren was meeting the band, KISS; the committee had put on KISS makeup for charity and the photo of all of us with our faces painted and in our cowboy clothes will be a memory I will never forget," he said. "30 years ago, if someone would have told me that I would organize the largest rodeo in the world, I would have laughed at them.

Now I look back on my three years on the general committee and take great pride in the fact that I was part of such a world-class undertaking...priceless," Colonel Pond added.
Colonel Pond entered the Air Force in 1981 as a distinguished graduate of the Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Louisville, Ky., and has held dozens of positions in his thirty years. He attributes his success to several key mentors who guided him during his career, such as retired Maj. Gen. Thomas Deppe.

"General Deppe's fingerprints are all over my career," Colonel Pond said. "He's been mentoring me since I was a captain, and will probably continue to give me advice well into retirement."

Colonel Pond said they have met some terrific friends throughout the years, especially at Warren. He is looking forward to his retirement, but will miss those he has met along the way the most.

General Deppe's not the only person who has had a positive impact on Colonel Pond during his career. "I've learned a lot not only from good leaders and supervisors, but from the bad as well...fortunately, most of my bosses have been very good." Pond also attributed much of his success to his family. "My entire family has always been supportive of my career." Patty's perhaps the biggest reason I enjoyed so much success. For over 25 years she's been my bedrock and has given tremendous amount of time and effort to every Air Force community we have lived in...people will miss her more than me--guaranteed!"

"I've known and been friends with Gary and Patty since 1987," said Barry Kistler, 90th Missile Wing director of staff. "He is an engaged and professional officer, who has made a difference in our Air Force; as he transitions to the civilian sector, I recommend he take some time off to relax and enjoy doing something he would like to do, as for the past 30 years, he and Patty have had to sacrifice and be totally committed to the Air Force."

Colonel Pond is planning to take time to relax and in his words, "be anonymous." Having his weekends, and not answering midnight phone calls is what he is excited about. He is grateful for all the military has done, but if he has to leave, he is glad that it's now.

"These past few years have been the most challenging for me and ICBM history; there has been a lot of transition and change," said Colonel Pond. "But it's also rewarding to see the ICBM force go from a marginalized mission a few years ago, to the Air Force's top priority. It took a tremendous amount of work to get where we are today, and there is a lot more to do...but it is nice to see the positive changes that have come about over the past four years."