BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Elevating an Air Force career to the next level can be accomplished in many ways. For one successful Barksdale Airman, the path to future success just got even brighter.
Air Force Global Strike Command has selected Capt. Shane Praiswater, 2nd Operations Support Squadron wing weapons officer, for its prestigious Striker Pathfinder Internship.
The internship is designed to develop the command’s company grade and junior field grade officers by rotating them through staff positions within multiple directorates. It provides a breadth of experience in the command, supplemented by professional development opportunities, exposure to strategic thought, and builds leadership skillsets.
According to Jeff Fugate, AFGSC program manager, the intent is to develop leaders with a broad knowledge of Air Force deterrence operations and how they interface with United States deterrence strategy, so they are able to make strategic and operational decisions.
“Some of the people I respect the most in the community have gone through this program,” said Praiswater. “They’re the ones who turned me on to this opportunity. They spoke well of the program and have had very successful careers.”
Applicants are competitively selected, and the program is open to AFGSC bomber pilots, combat systems operators and missileers.
Praiswater is one of three exceptional AFGSC officers selected this year, with Capt. Ashley Hardwich, 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, and Capt. Romonte Sullivan, 91st Missile Wing, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, rounding out the selectees.
Lt. Col. John Varilek, 2nd OSS commander, endorsed Praiswater as a nominee.
"It was no surprise to me that Capt. Praiswater was chosen for this prestigious program,” he said. “When he joined our squadron, his drive and enthusiasm for the B-52 Stratofortress mission was immediately apparent.”
Varilek quickly put Praiswater in charge of a couple programs to capitalize on the leadership and tactical skill sets he saw in him.
“He worked tirelessly to make his programs stand out and produce better-trained 2nd Bomb Wing aviators, enhancing our combat capability,” Varilek said. “I believe his natural leadership and drive coupled with the Pathfinder program's tools and training will be exactly what our Air Force needs to fly, fight and win in all current and future battlefield domains.”
Praiswater says it’s bittersweet to be leaving the squadron he’s come to love when there are a lot of exciting things happening within the B-52 community, specifically increased combat operations.
“It’s humbling to be selected for something like this,” he said. “I can’t thank Lieutenant Colonel Varilek enough for pushing me forward with this, as well as the group and wing leadership."