Wright-Patt wing commander reflects on tenure Published July 7, 2008 By Derek Kaufman 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE -- With a sparkle in her eye, Col. Colleen Ryan fondly recalls the last 25 months as the best of her Air Force career. On Monday, July 14, she will turn over the reigns of command for the 88th Air Base Wing to Col. Brad Spacy. "It was an incredible honor having been selected as commander of this wing, given Wright-Patterson's legacy, diversity and complexity," Ryan said, recalling her arrival here in June 2006. "I didn't quite comprehend the enormity of everything that goes on at this base until I started working here." To read about what takes place at Wright-Patt is one thing, she said, but to actually immerse oneself into the mission and experience first-hand what people from the base's nearly 60 organizations do everyday has been "an awe inspiring journey." "I will treasure the memories of this assignment as the best of my career," she said. Although she loves to read, Ryan acknowledged she was only peripherally aware of the base's place in aviation history, dating back to the early flights of the Wright brothers at Huffman Prairie Flying Field. She said even her many Air Force assignments didn't fully prepare her to tackle the many challenges of installation commander charged with providing support to so many diverse customers. "Frankly, even after more than two years on the job I still learn something new here every single day." Pride in performance "If you sit back and look at the calendar for a retrospective, 'Year in the life of Team Wright Patt or the 88th Air Base Wing,' you can't help but be amazed by what we've accomplished. Things really don't ever stop here." Whether hosting complex, highly visible senior leader conferences like Corona Top, huge community events like the Air Force Materiel Command Tattoo, U.S. Air Force Marathon or supporting the Dayton Air Show, the pace can be daunting, she said, but Wright-Patt people make it happen. "We're doing all of that, even as we're performing our very important day-to-day missions - acquisition, logistics, intelligence, advanced research, airlift, education, deploying Airmen, taking care of our people and the base - and it all just seems to flow like clockwork." "Oh by the way, throw in short notice visits by the President of the United States or the acting Secretary of the Air Force, and I am absolutely astounded by the professionalism of this workforce," she added. The colonel said she will also regard the experience working with Sci Fi Channel's Ghost Hunters television show among the highlights of her time at Wright-Patt and was proud of the result. "Certainly there was an element of risk and perhaps hesitation by some folks in supporting the project," she said. But balancing the opportunity to share Wright-Patt and Air Force missions nationally to a huge recruiting age audience, it was one worth exploring, she added. "To a person - on both the Ghost Hunters side as well as the Air Force side - I think it was an enjoyable experience for every single one of us," Ryan said. "In the end, our people, our base's legacy and our Air Force were portrayed very professionally. We also showed a very human side that we're open to exploring new possibilities...Huge kudos to Rachel Castle and the Public Affairs team for suggesting the idea." Retirement in the Dayton region Ryan grew up in a military family that frequently moved. The closest she got to establishing roots in a community was living for about eight years in New Hampshire, which included attending college there following her dad's retirement from the Air Force. "I've really never have been part of the fabric of a neighborhood," she said. The colonel said she made it a priority as 88th ABW commander to get outside the gate into the communities in the Dayton region to contribute to better understanding of Wright-Patterson missions among community and business leaders and the general public. Coincidentally, in the many exchanges with chambers, councils, and private and volunteer organizations she found a place to call home following retirement from the Air Force. "With all of the friends I've made here, I truly feel they have gotten into my heart more than any place I have ever been. So it almost seemed natural to stay here among people I have come to truly cherish," Ryan said. "I look forward to not having to set an alarm and sleeping in," Ryan said with grin, in anticipation of her first few weeks after leaving active duty. She intends to relax, do a little traveling and enjoy decorating and establishing her newly purchased home in Dayton's Oregon District, before embarking on a new career. A great wing with a great future Ryan was blessed to work for the last two years with a great team including Chief Master Sgt. Kent Smith, 88th ABW command chief, she said. Together they jointly emphasized a "Back to Basics" initiative focused on attention to detail and customs and courtesies. The colonel said she's proud to have been a part of establishing weekly Retreat ceremonies and an honorary commanders program which she hopes will continue to grow and flourish. "Thank you to the men and women of the 88th for their support," Ryan said. "It has been a great ride. I also want to say thank you to Gen [Bruce] Carlson and Lt. Gen [Jack] Hudson who allowed me the freedom to be the installation commander." "I'm proud of the team I'm going to be handing over to Col. Brad Spacy," Ryan said. "There is no limit to the tremendous things they will accomplish with Col. Spacy at the helm." Ryan said this is a tumultuous time in the Air Force's history and big challenges remain ahead. "We need to remember we are still the greatest Air Force in the world and the men and women of the 88th Air Base Wing are a big reason that is true."