Photo By Staff Sgt. Preston Webb | Maj. Matthew, 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron director of operations, walks...... read more read more
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General Joseph L. Votel, U.S. Central Command commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. William F. Thetford, U.S. Central Command senior enlisted leader, visited the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing here along with leadership from several component commands, April 21, 2017.
“The intent is to make sure everyone in the family understands what everybody else’s contributions are to the total fight,” Thetford said. “It’s really important that our Army Soldiers understand what our Airmen do, along with Marines and Sailors. This way everyone understands the enterprise as a whole.”
Leaders toured the base to gain perspective and a greater understanding on the Air Force’s five enduring core missions of rapid global mobility, global strike, command and control, air and space superiority, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing was chosen due to its uniqueness in employing all five core component missions.
As part of the visit, leadership met with U.S. pilots and their aircraft, including the U.S. F-22 Raptor, RQ-4 Global Hawk, U-2 Dragon Lady, and KC-10 Extender. They also had the opportunity to learn about a Coalition partner, the Royal Australian Air Force, and their F/A-18 Hornet and KC-30A. These aircraft enable the wing and its Coalition partners to gather intelligence, strike the enemy and refuel the fight.
They then stopped for a real-time airborne air control demonstration, as well as one-on-one interactions with 380th Airmen to view munitions constructed and used throughout the area of responsibility.
“Our Airmen get to experience their role in the mission every day,” said Col. Kevin M. Eastland, 380th AEW vice commander. "For example, when our munitions Airmen load-up an aircraft and see it return empty hours later, they literally see the hand they had in delivering airpower,"
Before departing, Votel personally thanked Airmen and Coalition members by awarding coins to top performers throughout the wing.
Thetford mentioned that he hopes the leadership team gained as much from the visit as he had, so that future leaders could continue to understand the part the 380th AEW plays in the broader mission.
"It's been a good learning opportunity, visiting with Airmen that know how they impact the greater cause," Thetford said "The 380th [AEW] and its core missions cover the full spectrum of what air superiority is all about."
| Date Taken: | 04.22.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 04.28.2017 08:51 |
| Story ID: | 231897 |
| Location: | (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION) |
| Web Views: | 266 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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