CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The 437th Airlift Wing welcomed a new vice commander to Charleston AFB June 23.

Col. Don Shaffer, former executive assistant to the assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the Pentagon, replaced Col. John Michel after he left Charleston AFB May 27 to be the commander of the 319th Air Refueling Wing, Grand Forks AFB, N.D.

Colonel Shaffer's desire to be a pilot and a part of the Air Force started at an early age. He began his flying career before he could even get a permit to drive a car.

"I knew I wanted to fly. My brother was taking lessons and my father let me go up on and orientation flight. I was 13 or 14 when I took my first lesson," Colonel Shaffer said. "My mother actually had to drive me to my first solo flight because I didn't have my driver's license. My initial solo was in a Cessna 150 when I was only 16."

Not only did his love of flying influence him to be a pilot, but it was the sense of serving, instilled in him by his father, that drew him to a career in the Air Force.

"Growing up with my father in the Army, I was always attracted to the military. My brother got commissioned into the Army through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program, but I knew I wanted to fly," he said.

Colonel Shaffer was accepted to the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School and spent a year there before attending the Academy. He graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in international affairs and national security. He realized his lifelong dream when he earned his Air Force pilot wings at Columbus AFB Miss, in 1988.

Since then, he has held operational assignments as an instructor pilot in the T-38 at Columbus AFB, the C-141 at McGuire AFB, N.J., and the C-17 here. He has also held staff assignments at Headquarters 21st Air Force, McGuire AFB, Headquarters U.S. Air Force and the Joint Staff at the Pentagon.

Colonel Shaffer says his two tours in the Pentagon on the Air Staff and Joint Staff have given him a different perspective on how to look at issues and how to handle challenges.
"I think the one thing it has taught me is how to look at problems in a different light," Colonel Shaffer said. "We all have a tendency to look at a challenge from our own perspective. But when you work at a place like the Joint Staff, you see an issue from many different perspectives. When you do that a lot, you gain a sense of understanding that there are different ways of looking at a problem -- and ultimately more possible solutions. It also provides you with the insight and the ability to realize you can't do everything by yourself and you need to step back and let folks do what they are qualified to do."

Even though he is just arriving at Charleston AFB as the new vice commander, this is not his first time in the Lowcountry. From 2000 to 2004, he served as the chief of wing combat operations and tactics, commanded the 17th Airlift Squadron and served as Deputy Commander of the 437th Operations Group.

While leading at many different levels during his Air Force career, Colonel Shaffer has developed his own leadership style.

"I would have to say I take a hands-off approach," he said. "I like to empower people, provide guidance and encourage them ... and then get out of their way. Let them take charge of their job or particular task, lead it and follow up.

"I firmly believe we have the highest quality people in our country serving in the Air Force. The caliber of people and the amount of scrutiny they go through, that by the time they get to the leadership positions they're in, they have earned the respect and ability to be left alone to the get the job done.

"I believe by empowering people you can reach greater heights in your organization," he said.

Because of his background at the Joint Staff in the Pentagon, Colonel Shaffer was able to give some insight on the impact Team Charleston members have on a daily basis in fighting the global war on terror.

"I have no doubt we will win the current fight," he said. "What we do on a daily basis has a national-level impact. We execute our combat mission every day in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and other forces deployed worldwide. The C-17 community gives our nation's leaders a wide range of options to respond to crises, and Team Charleston is the gold standard. Everyone needs to understand their role in making that mission happen and that everything they bring to the fight is critical.

"It is very easy to fall into a routine or rut where you may get the impression that what you do doesn't have a significant impact. But having personally witnessed Charleston AFB missions begin discussed by the Chairman of the Joint Staff at the highest level of our military, I can assure you that what you do everyday has a huge impact. I am absolutely thrilled to be back as part of that team!"