General’s son follows in father’s footsteps

General's son follows in father's footsteps

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Brig. Gen. Robert Rego, the mobilization assistant to the Global Strike Command commander, delivers a commencement speech to the 392nd Training Squadron's Initial Skills Training class 11-06 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Jan. 12. Rego's son, 2nd Lt. Ethan Rego, along with 27 other graduates, will serve as nuclear missile operators at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., Malmstrom AFB, Mont., or Minot AFB, N.D. (U.S. Air Force by 2nd Lt. Austin Fallin)

General's son follows in father's footsteps

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Brig. Gen. Robert Rego, the mobilization assistant to the Global Strike Command commander, poses with his son, 2nd Lt. Ethan Rego, after Ethan's Initial Skills Training graduation at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Jan. 12. Ethan, along with 27 other graduates, will serve as nuclear missile operators at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., Malmstrom AFB, Mont., or Minot AFB, N.D. (U.S. Air Force by 2nd Lt. Austin Fallin)

General's son follows in father's footsteps

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Brig. Gen. Robert Rego, the mobilization assistant to the Global Strike Command commander, pins the Missile Badge with Operations Designator on 2nd Lt. Ethan Rego's service dress after Ethan's Initial Skills Training graduation at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Jan. 12. Ethan, the general's son, along with 27 other graduates, will serve as nuclear missile operators at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., Malmstrom AFB, Mont., or Minot AFB, N.D. (U.S. Air Force by 2nd Lt. Austin Fallin)

Published Jan. 26, 2012
By Jennifer Green-Lanchoney
30th Space Wing Public Affairs

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- When he walked across the stage more than 25 years ago he had no idea he would be the guest speaker at his son's graduation from the very same program.

Brig. Gen. Robert Rego, a career space and missile officer, recognized 28 graduates here Jan. 12 from the 392nd Training Squadron missile officers' Initial Skills Training program to include his son 2nd Lt. Ethan Rego.

"I am honored to have (my father) here," said Ethan. "As a leader in the Air Force, he sets a good example for me and my classmates."

Ethan has long desired to follow a similar career path as his father.

"I felt quite emotional," said the general, who is the mobilization assistant to the Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command. "Just a few short months ago, I (also) had the good fortune to commission Ethan."

Ethan and his graduating class will join the deterrent force operating the Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile weapon system, the nation's most responsive leg of the nuclear triad.

"I am excited for my son because when you look at the changes that have occurred since the stand up of Air Force Global Strike Command and the reinvigoration of the Air Force Nuclear Mission, it makes me positive for the future," said Rego. "The three wings are going like gangbusters, and I think there is a great deal of opportunity as he and his 27 compatriots move forward."

The general commended the training group on their performance. "We couldn't do what we do to provide a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent force without the excellence that they produce here."