AIR RESERVE STATION Retiring base leader enjoyed job

Gjede says being a base commander is 'the best job in the Air Force.'
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
VIENNA -- Brig. Gen. Michael F. Gjede, commander of the 910th Airlift Wing at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, is upbeat about the future of the Mahoning Valley and the air base he has led since March 1998.
"As outsiders, when we came here we saw what this area has to offer," said Gjede during an interview with him and his wife, Jerlynn, as he prepares to retire from what he calls "the best job in the Air Force."
The Mahoning Valley has much to offer, Gjede said. One of the major keys is its transportation infrastructure.
Trying to save base
"There are people exploring that potential. It's a struggle, but it's do-able. The right user will come along [to the Mahoning Valley] in time," Gjede predicted.
Gjede, a two-tour Vietnam veteran with 140 combat missions, many over North Vietnam, plans to stay in the area for at least a couple of years to work with the Save Our Airbase Reservists committee. The organization is working to help the Youngstown Air Reserve Station survive the Department of Defense's Base Realignment and Closure 2005.
The BRAC committee, which evaluates the DOD's needs, is expected to recommend military facility moves and closures in late 2005. Local officials, community and business leaders want to make sure the Youngstown Air Reserve Station is not among them.
Gjede, who took command of the 910th in March 1998, is required to remain neutral about the Youngstown Air Reserve Station's chances of surviving BRAC while he is still in the military, so his comments on the subject are guarded.
"I think the base has as good a chance as anybody. I think it will be OK. I'd like to see everything stay," he said.
Expresses pride
However, he is not shy about expressing his pride in the people and facilities of the air base. Its people are its greatest asset. In any organization, it boils down to its people, he said.
The 910th has highly motivated, dedicated, tireless people who come to work at a great facility, who have a lot of pride in the unit and a can-do attitude, he said.
They are a very generous group of people who give of their time and money to the community, he said.
"This base is in a small, close-knit, family-oriented community," Mrs. Gjede said.
Gjede also praised the community, and the families and employers of the reservists, for their support during the frequent and sometimes lengthy deployments because of the war on terrorism and the Iraqi war.
"Everyone is feeling the stress, but they are hanging tough," he said.
Gjede said the personnel level at the air station is stable, even with a 15 percent turnover per year.
"We're not having a problem recruiting," he said.
Also, he said the campus-like atmosphere -- with lots of trees and grass -- makes it a pleasant place to come to work. It is one of the nicest bases in the Air Force, he said.
"I would be glad to do this job another 10 years," said Gjede, reflecting on his career and time at the local air base.
"Having my own base is very fulfilling," he said.
Major goal
His major goal at the 910th, which he thinks was accomplished, was to improve the relationship between the base and the community and make the base part of the community.
"When I first got here, I was surprised to learn that a lot of people were not aware of us. We worked very hard to raise awareness," he said.
Gjede said the level of training for Air Force reservists has increased dramatically since he was commissioned in 1969. The Air Force has done a good job of making the Reserve and Guard part of the front line force.
"We don't get hand-me-down equipment and are a part of every war plan," he said.
Also, many women have been integrated into the reserve over the last three decades.
"I've always thought of the Air Force as the most progressive branch of the military in bringing in women. Women are a great addition to the Air Force. They bring a different perspective," he said.
"We have four female pilots, and women in senior positions, such as Col. Anna Schulte, head of the 910th's Maintenance Group," Mrs. Gjede said.
The big goal that Gjede said he did not accomplish is new lodging for reservists who come from a distance.
His career
Gjede has had a long and distinguished career during which he received many honors, including wartime decorations.
While in Vietnam in 1972 and 1973, he was a navigator on B-52 bombers. During one mission over North Vietnam, just as they were about to drop their bombs, the plane was hit by shrapnel from a missile that exploded.
Fortunately, no one was injured, but the plane had 150 holes in it.
They dropped their bombs, and with sparks flying and an engine out, they nursed the plane back to base. For his efforts, Gjede was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
He has held a number of command positions in the Air Force Reserve, and is a master navigator, having flown more than 10,000 hours.
One his final day, June 30, Gjede is scheduled to have his traditional last flight. When he lands, he will be hosed down by the base fire department, similar to how a football coach is doused when an important game is won.
Also on Gjede's final day, Mrs. Gjede said she plans to bring her husband to work and come to pick him up so "we can walk out of here together."
While the Gjedes plan to stay and work in the Mahoning Valley, they do not have firm plans for immediately after June 30.
Gjede said a buddy advised him to not go back to work right away after, so some recreation and family trips may be in order.
"This will be the first time in 30 years we will have weekends off," he said.
alcorn@vindy.com