Vice commander humbled by first star

  • Published
  • By Chuck Paone
  • 66 ABW Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  Calling his promotion humbling, Brig. Gen. Terry Feehan officially pinned on his first star Sept. 2 in a ceremony at the Minuteman Club here. 

General Feehan, who serves as vice commander of the Electronic Systems Center, headquartered at Hanscom, said his promotion didn't come about because of jobs or specific events, but because of people. 

"It's about the people I've had the pleasure to serve with; this is their promotion too," he said. "This is what we've done and achieved together." 

He proceeded to list many who had influenced him and his career, including a pair of master sergeants who worked to show him the ropes when he was a young lieutenant. General Feehan said they saw training new lieutenants as part of their jobs. 

"They were willing to share all the knowledge that you would take. But in return, they would demand absolute professionalism and officership," he said. 

He told the several hundred people in attendance about a major who "reached past three captains to a skinny little new first lieutenant and said, 'I'm going to give you the first Peacekeeper [Inter-continental ballistic missile] operational test launch.'" 

"There were lots of opportunities to fail on that, but he showed how mentorship can let people go out on a limb a little bit, so that you can really develop them," General Feehan said. 

The new general spoke also of others who led "not by edict, but by example," and who showed what the Air Force family is really all about. 

These are the people and thoughts that come to mind as General Feehan reflects on how he arrived at this point in his career. He has also spent a lot of time reflecting on peers with whom he's served. 

"When you first get the news about the promotion, there's a tremendous amount of excitement, but it doesn't last as long as you might think," he said. "You think about all the people you have served with, all those who were colonels with you and who could easily be here instead, because our Air Force is full of absolutely outstanding people. 

"And that's very humbling," he said. 

General Bowlds, during his remarks, said that General Feehan exemplifies the Air Force core values of service before self, excellence in all he does and integrity. 

"He's one of the finest officers I've ever been associated with," General Bowlds said.