General Halter takes command of 19th AF

  • Published
  • By Bob Hieronymus
  • Wingspread staff writer
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Surrounded by a line of 15 wing commanders and their command sergeants, civilian dignitaries, a few hundred well-wishers and eleven combat training aircraft, Maj. Gen. Irving Halter Jr. took command of the 19th Air Force from Maj. Gen. Marc Rogers in a special ceremony Tuesday morning.

Gen. William Looney III, Air Education and Training Command commander, officiated in the transfer of command. General Looney praised the Airmen of the 19th AF, noting that "in six to 18 months, every one of the people trained in the command would be serving somewhere in harm's way."

"While the aircraft on this ramp are impressive, it is the people who train in them, use them and maintain them who are really impressive," he said.

In his remarks, General Rogers singled out the community leaders who were in the crowd and recognized them for the role the communities around each base play in serving alongside the people in uniform. He went on to praise the leadership, performance General Halter takes command of 19th AF and safety record of the Airmen of 19th AF.

"It has been inspiring to see you move the ball down the court and be ready to hand the ball on to the next leaders," he said.

General Halter continued with the ball game theme, telling General Looney, "I have my game face on and I'm ready to play. I'm humbled and proud to lead this team."

He thanked the people of Randolph for the wonderful hospitality he and his family had already received and said he is looking forward to meeting the people of the command "in the classroom and on the flightline."

General Halter was the U.S. Air Force Academy vice superintendent before coming to Randolph, from which he graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He went on to earn his Master of Science degree in international relations from Troy State University in 1990.

In the general's new role as the 19th AF commander he is responsible for the training of approximately 20,000 U.S. and allied students. The training ranges from entry-level flying training through advanced combat crew training, and ultimately provides fully qualified aircrew personnel for the war fighting commands. The 19th AF contains more than 31,000 Airmen and civilians and 1,800 aircraft in 25 units throughout the United States. 

General Halter is a command pilot with more than 3,100 flying hours, including more than 2,200 in the F-15.