Q&A with new 51st FW commander

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  • By Staff Reports
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Col. Brook Leonard was named the new 51st Fighter Wing commander July 19.

Leonard came from Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, where he served as the 451st Expeditionary Operations Group commander.

The new Mustang 1, who is a command pilot with more than 2,700 flying hours and 570 combat hours, once served in the 36th Fighter Squadron, and shares his thoughts and expectations for his time in command here at Osan.

Q: What part of being Mustang 1 are you looking forward to the most?
A: I'm most looking forward to joining the Mustang team, and being a part of everything that's going on here at Osan. My wife and I were here from 1996 to 1999 and it was a great part of our Air Force career, so we're really looking forward to getting back into the fight.

Q: How do you think your previous experiences will help you as the commander here?
A: We've been to not only Osan, but we were at Misawa and Eielson as well, so we've been in PACAF for quite some time. With our history, I think we have a good feel for the theater itself. Also, coming back from Kandahar and understanding the fight out there, I think I'll bring a lot of operational lessons learned, and since this is a place where we prepare to fight, it will help us stay focused on that aspect.

Q: What are your short and long term goals for the Airmen here?
A: My short term goal is to just sustain the excellence that you've already built up. Then after that, we're going to focus on building a team that we all get to be a part of, that brings out the best of all the Airmen, and we're going to make it better each and every day.

Q: In two years when you pass the guidon to the incoming commander, what do you want your legacy to be?
A: Most of all, a legacy of teamwork - not only across the entire base and the 51st Fighter Wing, but with our tenant units, our joint partners, and across the entire coalition as well. If we can do that I think we can bring out the best in each one of us and in Air Power itself. In order to do that, we have to forge a community of teamwork and people that care for each other.

Q: What is one thing that's really important to you?
A: Teamwork is really important to me because I believe that you bring out the best in people through teamwork, so we have to work together to do that. No matter what group you're in, we're all focused on being ready to "Fight and Win Tonight!" No matter what you do, everybody's a part of that so we all need to bring our best each and every day.

Q: Is there anything you'd like to say to all the Mustangs out there?
A: My family and I are very excited to be here, we're very humbled to be a part of the team, and we're here to serve. I want everyone to know that they will have my utmost dedication to help them do their job and put their best stuff out on the table each and every day. We're here to serve you guys and excited to be part of the team.