Commentary: Farwell to the Overturfs

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tracy Brown
  • 442nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Service members of the 442nd Fighter Wing, here, said farewell to Brig. Gen. Eric S. Overturf in a change-of-command ceremony April 7, and welcomed Colonel Hubert C. Hegtvedt as new commander.

Overturf took command of the wing December 2010. Throughout his two years in command, he consistently set goals, accomplished them and exceeded expectations.
His priorities were in line with the Air Force Reserve Command as he set out to build most combat-ready fighter wing in the Air Force Reserve Command and most important of all - take care of the wing's Airmen and their families.

Among the wing's accomplishments, Overturf led multiple successful deployments of service members, presided over the stand up and stand down of wing geographically separated units, and took on total force integration, with the goal of seamlessly combining active duty into the Reserve ranks. In addition to these successes, the 442nd FW also became the largest and "best" A-10 reserve unit in all of the AFRC, Overturf often joked. Following the combination of all A-10s in the Reserve force, the 442nd FW is the only A-10 unit in all of AFRC.

"He was the best wing commander I've ever worked for," said Col. Brian Borgen, 442nd Operations Group commander. "General Overturf sets and holds the standard at every level. You want to work for this guy and not let him down. He gets the most out of his people because he's one of them. He is relentless about taking care of his folks and knowing what's going on in his wing. That's a rare quality, but for him it comes natural."

Overturf was known around the wing for being a family man and stressing the importance of equalizing the triad - Reserve duty, civilian employers and family.

The chaplain staff said they had a strong working relationship with the general and his wife Karla Overturf.

"The general would come into our office and he knows our first names. He was not only a general and our commander - he made himself human and approachable," said Capt. Benjamin Hayden, 442nd FW chaplain. "He and his wife Karla were so involved in the wing, and when they participated in an event, you could tell they were there because they want to be, not because they had to be, and that meant a lot to our service members to know they could relate to their commander on a whole other level."

As a commander, Overturf not only showed gratitude and gives guidance, but he welcomed feedback from wing members.

"It's a beautiful thing to work for a commander who shows genuine appreciation to those who work with him," said Tech. Sgt. Jim Emerich, 442nd Fighter Wing command administrator. "He treats everyone as an equal, and although many claim to have an open door policy, General Overturf exercised that daily. He wants to hear from service members and be aware of every part of the mission and those who work with him from the lowest enlisted to the highest ranking officer."

As commander, Overturf left his mark on many he encountered.

"I've learned more from his style than from any officer I've been associated with; particularly in the organizational realm," Borgen said. "The next commander has big shoes to fill. 'Turf' set the bar very high. We'll all miss him."

Frequently, when addressing the wing, the general made it a point to recognize the work of wing members, show his appreciation and never failed to say, "It's been an honor to be your commander."

As Overturf moves on to his next assignment in Washington D.C., 442nd F W members wish him well and say, "It was an honor to have had you as commander."