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One of the Air Force's first F-16 pilots retires after 35 years of service

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Amanda Currier
  • Ninth Air Force Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  In 1978, the son of a retired Air Force master sergeant graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and married his college sweetheart.

At the time, the computer science degree graduate never imagined he would command combat operations, facilitate diplomatic partnerships between the United States and foreign countries, or become a two-star general.

In fact, Air Force Maj. Gen. Lawrence Wells never planned his career path. He simply went wherever the Air Force needed him to go. It led him and his family to 35 years of military service.

"From day one, we've never had a job we thought we were going to get. We've never gone to a place we thought we would go," he said. "We've been blessed to go where the Air Force needed us most."

May 31, 2013, he will retire from his position as the Ninth Air Force commander at Shaw Air Force Base. As Ninth Air Force commander, he oversees eight active-duty wings and three direct reporting units comprising more than 400 aircraft and 29,000 active-duty and civil-service members.

However, he began his career as one of the Air Force's first F-16 Fighter pilots. He entered undergraduate pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, in October of 1978 as one of 12 Airmen selected to fly the F-16. He completed two additional training assignments. Then, he became part of the 4th Fighter Squadron, at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.

"When I got the F-16, there were no operations squadrons in the Air Force at all. We became the first Initial Operational Capable F-16 squadron in the Air Force," said the general, now a pilot with more than 2,800 flying hours. He has flown the F-16, U-2, RQ-4 Global Hawk and KC-10.

The general served as a weapons officer, a resource manager and a squadron commander, among other jobs, before leading the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia for a year.

"I always thought it was a calling to be a commander," he said. "You always want to do the right thing, and take care of people. It was very rewarding to be at the tip of spear and positively affect people's lives."

Before taking the Ninth Air Force helm, the general served as the deputy chief of staff for the United Nations Command and U.S. Forces Korea at Army Garrison, Yongsan. There, he and his wife, Kathy Wells, fostered diplomatic partnerships between the United States and U.N.-affiliated nations.

"When we were in Korea, every month we'd have lunch with 19 ambassadors because we thought it was important to keep them informed on what's going on," he said. "Kathy had a spouses' group where she tried to teach women from 19 nations things about America."

The couple carried their philosophy of developing community partnerships back to Shaw. The pair met with community leaders here at least once a month, and General Wells frequently spoke at local events, at the public's request.

"Larry and Kathy Wells have taken community involvement to another level," said Sumter Mayor Joseph McElveen. "They have been almost everywhere. If General Wells was out of town, Kathy was there. He has kept us well informed on Air Force and military issues as they affect the nation, and as they affect Sumter and South Carolina."

"We've always believed, if you open up your home and let people in it, you get to know them on a personal level. If you know people personally, it's much easier to work with them." Mrs. Wells said. "I feel very fortunate that the Air Force, through Larry's career, has given me a lot of opportunities that I don't think I would have ever had, had we taken a different path."

With 28 assignments under their belts, moving won't be high on their "we'll sure miss" list. Neither will the adventures, accolades or general-officer treatment.

"We're going to miss the Airmen - just meeting and talking to them, finding out what their problems and issues are, and solving those problems and issues with them," the general said.

The couple isn't sure what's in store for them next, but they both plan to spend more time with their three children, ranging in age from 26 to 32.

"We're just looking forward to the future and whatever it might bring," said Mrs. Wells. She's entertaining the thought of becoming an elementary school teacher.

"People think about retiring, and they think about settling down ... We're not there yet," General Wells said. "We still want to give back. We still want to make a difference and we're passionate about helping people."

Although the couple's Air Force journey was full of unexpected adventures, the one thing that remained solid throughout the years was their family.

"The children and I always knew we came first. We also knew that at any point we wanted to say we'd had enough, he would have given it all up for us," Mrs. Wells said. "That's something you can't bottle."

The general has no complaints as his "finis flight" approaches. In fact, he won't have one. Due to sequestration-based cuts to the flying-hour program, all Air Commbat Command Numbered Air Force commanders stopped flying, so their sorties could be better used by younger pilots.

"I wouldn't be who I am today, if I hadn't spent the last 35 years with a beautiful wife and kids and the Air Force," General Wells said. "We leave the Air Force very proud of what we've done, but even prouder of the Airmen out there who are going to do things better than we ever did."