EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --
Meet Col. Jack Arthaud, 33rd Fighter Wing commander, and his wife, Mrs. Natalie Arthaud.
The Arthauds grew up together in Hoquiam, Washington and have been married for 22 years. They have 4 sons: Jackson, James, Graham and Max.
“I believe it’s very important to acknowledge that our military dependents and families endure many of the same hardships as our service members, so I look at my family and appreciate that they are serving right alongside me,” said Col. Arthaud.
Keeping a healthy and happy family through the change and adversity that comes with a military career is something the Arthauds have continued to strive for. With all four children playing sports, among other activities, they have a lot to balance. Mrs. Arthaud stresses the importance of a healthy home unit and how her role could impact the wing as a whole.
“My purpose is to strike a balance in our family between our service and our family relationships because they will outlast our service,” said Mrs. Arthaud. “Our priorities are our faith, our family, and then our Air Force service. Success starts at home; you need a healthy foundation to build from and to sustain you when the inevitable trials of life arise. Maintaining a work-life balance is never simple, but it’s always worth the extra time and effort.”
Mrs. Arthaud is involved in the key spouses club and aims to ensure military spouses have a network of people that provide consistent communication, help and support.
“I am excited for our time at Eglin,” said Mrs. Arthaud. “I can’t wait to grow and develop new relationships here in the 33rd. I enjoy connecting with people and understanding their story, especially learning about our Airmen and their families.”
Without Mrs. Arthaud, Col. Arthaud says he would not be in the position he is today.
“I am blessed to have a wife who challenges me when I’m wrong, encourages me when I’m down, and helps me become a better person,” said Col. Arthaud. “I have seen firsthand in both my own life and my Airmen’s lives that when things at home are challenging, it’s difficult to come to work and focus on the mission.”
Col. Arthaud has served in the Air Force for 22 years and decided to join after talking to a former Air Force pilot.
“My grandpa Jack flew in the Army Air Corps,” he said. “My dad encouraged me to follow in my grandpa's footsteps, but I wanted to go my own way. In college, I met a retired Air Force pilot who persuaded me to join the Air Force. Once I better understood how Air Force service could provide purpose, adventure and challenge me personally, and that I’d get to be a part of a team-based culture, I decided to join.”
When asked about his biggest inspirations, Col. Arthaud noted an admiration for those who work towards bettering themselves, people like Michael Jordan and Russell Wilson. He also found that same inspiration within the ranks of the Air Force.
“The Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. Brown, has been a huge inspiration,” he said. “He is such a sincere leader. His intentions to accelerate change have caused me to think about how we’ve ‘always done’ business and find innovative ways to build the most combat-credible Airmen possible. He truly makes me push myself to become better.”
Col. Arthaud aspires to be a leader Airmen can trust and wants to help those he leads become the best version of themselves.
“I value character and competence the most in the people I lead,” said Col. Arthaud. “Character provides the foundation for people to overcome challenges, to be resilient in the face of adversity, and to be worthy of trust. Character, like integrity, is the basis for productive relationships. Competence is about fulfilling the reason why we come together in the Air Force and the 33rd Fighter Wing. It’s the basis for warfighting effectiveness and for meeting our nation's call.”
The Arthauds joined the 33rd FW after Col. Arthaud took command in July of this year. Together, they hope to provide Nomads with the leadership necessary to further develop, support and empower Airmen and their families.