News Search

ArticleS

JBSA-Randolph civil servant retires after 51 years

  • Published
  • By Alex Salinas
  • Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas --  After dedicating more than a half-century to the Air Force, Byron Parcenue, Air Education and Training Command Airfield Operations chief, who joined the service as an air traffic controller in 1962, will call it a career in June.

Thirty of his years were spent as an active-duty member, 20 years in airfield management as a civil servant and one year as an Air Force contractor.

During his last government position, Parcenue oversaw all of the airfield operations in AETC, which includes 11 bases and about 500 members, he said. "We are responsible for 2.2 million operations a year. To have had a great second career, it's a blessing."

Throughout the numerous positions he has claimed, it was Parcenue's active-duty stint, which included eight stateside and seven overseas assignments in locations such as Berlin, Korea and Thailand that left an indelible impact on his life.

In 1967-68, Parcenue was assigned to Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, with the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, working under retired Brig. Gen. Robin Olds, a legendary triple ace fighter pilot.

"Because it was during the Vietnam War, the attitude there was 'take the fight to the enemy,' and that's literally what we did every day," Parcenue said. "It was a wild, wild ride."

An assignment to the Berlin Air Route Traffic Control Center in 1968-72, when the Berlin Wall divided socialist East Berlin from parliamentary West Berlin, gave Parcenue a renewed appreciation for freedom.

"Working in East German air space and living in an occupied city, with a wall surrounding us, was eye-opening," he said. "The western half (of Berlin) was like a modern city and the eastern half was stricken with poverty."

The overseas experience is "the greatest opportunity" an Airman can take, Parcenue said.

"It's a big world and military people are lucky to see it," he said. "If you have the chance to take an assignment or change stations abroad, take it, ask for it, go get it."

Parcenue recalled regular interactions with men from the "Greatest Generation," who made up much of the fighting force during his formative military years.

"When I joined in 1962, some of them had gone through World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War," he said. "They were grisly and didn't take guff from anyone. They were tough.

"More importantly, they taught me to be tough when I had to."

Working for the same employer for 51 years, after all, might require some dedication and toughness; Parcenue explained how he's handled it.

"If you learn your job and you know your job, a lot of stress can be taken out," he said. "We all have our bad days, but handle situations without emotion and seek the best outcome."

Advice on integrity from a former senior master sergeant still echoes in Parcenue's head, even though it was told to him decades ago.

"The only thing you have to go on is reputation," Parcenue said. "Wherever you go, it goes with you, too."

When Parcenue retires in June, he will turn 70 years old. For him, it will be a "new beginning."

Along with spending time with his wife, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, Parcenue plans on returning to golf, taking care of horses in Spring Branch, becoming more active in his Masonic Lodge and taking cooking lessons.

On the future of airfield operations, Parcenue predicted the next major technological shift to happen in 10-15 years, like what he experienced when computers changed how business ran in the operational Air Force.

"The Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Defense are always working to create the latest technology," he said. "We just brought in a new digital radar, and aircraft are being reequipped with GPS technology.

"The future looks promising."