General Lanni bids farewell, lauds Team Eglin

  • Published
  • By Capt. Eric Badger
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Approximately 160 people expressed their best wishes to Brig. Gen. Joseph A. Lanni and his family during a farewell luncheon held in his honor August 30 at the Eglin Officers' Club.

From February 2006 to August 2007, General Lanni served as vice commander of the Air Armament Center here. The center's responsibilities include development, acquisition, testing, deployment and sustainment of all air-delivered weapons.

During his tenure here, the general also led efforts in the area of AAC plans, directing and conducting test and evaluation of U.S. and allied air armament, navigation and guidance systems and Command and Control systems.

According to Col. Dean R. Clemons, 96th Air Base Wing commander, General Lanni was vital to developing and designing Eglin's Vision 2015 roadmap.

"Between now and the year 2015, Eglin will change dramatically," he said. "It will soon become 'Fighter Town U.S.A.', and we owe great credit to General Lanni for the approach and establishment of this vision. I hope someday the general's children can truly appreciate what their Dad has done here for making Eglin the premier Air Force Base in the world. We've been blessed to have him here."

According to Brig. General David W. Eidsaune, AAC commander, General Lanni represents what every commander should want in a vice commander.

"There are three rules to hiring a vice commander - hire somebody you know, hire a commander and hire somebody of the highest integrity," he said. "Joe epitomizes all three."

Additionally, General Lanni was General Eidsaune's vice commander at a previous assignment.

"I was fortunate that he was exactly the right guy I needed then and now," he said. "When I found out I was coming to Eglin, I breathed a sigh of relief to know Joe and his wife were here. I said to myself, 'I know what I'm getting into, Joe is the vice commander.' Never once did I doubt his ability to lead in my absence."

According to Mrs. Pam Lanni, General Lanni's wife, the people of Team Eglin will always hold a special place in the hearts of the Lanni family.

"Our 18 months here have been full, intense, overwhelming at times and filled with wonderful learning experiences, precious friends and priceless memories," said Mrs. Lanni. "I leave pieces of my heart behind with those who worked with my husband, with my church family, with fellow workers in the spouses' club and with friends and fellow spouses. Thank you for not only putting up with me, but also opening your hearts and letting me in. You are a rich blessing in my life."

After being showered with tokens of appreciation from various base agencies and enduring a bit of good-natured ribbing, General Lanni humbly expressed his gratitude.

"From the bottom of my heart, thank you," he said. "Thank you to the Air Force for giving me a challenging job after making the brigadier general list. I could have been sent anywhere, but I was placed at Eglin where there's more going on than any other base in the Air Force. I can undoubtedly say that Eglin has the best community relations I've ever seen and a workforce that's second to none."

The profound impact the men and women of Team Eglin have made on the Lanni family will be cherished forever, according to General Lanni.

"The richest treasure of all is knowing we have friends here that love and care for us," he said. "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here."

The general departs Eglin en route to Wright-Patterson AFB where he will serve as the Director of Air, Space and Information Operations, Headquarters Air Force Material Command.

Brigadier General Michael N. Wilson, Mobilization Assistant to the AAC commander, will temporarily serve as AAC vice commander until a permanent successor is appointed.