Warrior Spirit and Airmen Pride

Courtesy Photo | Lt. Gen. Gary L. North, commander of 9th Air Force and U.S. Central Command Air, stops to talk to Airman 1st Class Lindsay Taggart, of the 386 Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. A1C Taggart impressed North so much he called her father in the United States to let him know how great of a job she was doing. (USAF Photo by TSgt Edward D. Holzapfel)  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

02.21.2007

Courtesy Story

386th Air Expeditionary Wing

By Staff Sgt. Ian Carrier
386 AEW/PA

SOUTHWEST ASIA – Lt. Gen. Gary North, commander of U.S. Central Command Air Forces, paid a visit to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing during his tour of the CENTAF Area of Responsibility. During the evening visit, North spent some time getting to know some of the service members.

North began his tour at the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility (CASF), which is often one of the first stops for wounded personnel coming from Iraq and Afghanistan. Patients are treated at the CSAF while waiting to be transported to a military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany. In the case of more severe injuries, patients are sent on from the hospital back to the States. The General praised the members of the 386th Expeditionary Medical Squadron for their outstanding work in treating patients from every branch of the military. He then spent time with each and every Airman, Soldier and Sailor being treated at the facility.

The General then visited the Desert Winds Dining Facility. The Desert Winds is in the process of extensive remodeling. The seating capacity is being enlarged, the kitchen improved and the appearance overhauled. North lauded the staff, consisting of Air Force Services personnel and third country nationals, for the excellence in service they display in ensuring the base receives the best possible dining experience.

North next made a tour of the entry control points on base to meet with 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron members. At each gate the General was given a post brief by one of the Airmen on duty. They included descriptions of the immediate mission, the weapons systems, areas of responsibility, and article 6 of the Code of Conduct. The General was even treated to the Air Force song by Senior Airmen Lashonna Wooten and Valerie Ellis, 386 ESFS. Aside from formalities and passing out coins, the General took the time to get to know a little bit about each Airman he encountered.

North made it a point, everywhere he went, to voice his pride in today's Airmen. Air Force personnel find themselves actively participating in a very important mission, and in many instances are doing non-traditional jobs. The General noted that Airmen are doing an outstanding job and making many sacrifices. At one station, the General even tried to call the father of one of the Airmen to express how proud he was with the job she was doing.

One question the General asked every Airman was, "How many times have you been deployed?"

Many had multiple deployments; 4, 5, 6 and up. Still there were several young Airmen here for the first time, a few having been here longer than at their first home station. Most, if not all Airmen he questioned were here voluntarily, a testament to the dedication of today's Air Force, the 386 AEW warrior spirit and Airmen pride.

Over the course of the evening, North gave out a total of 38 coins, 28 going to Security Force Defenders.

The General's parting words were, "I enjoyed tonight. It always amazes me how great our Airmen are!"

• Date Taken: 02.21.2007
• Date Posted: 02.21.2007 11:21
• Story ID: 9206
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)