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    Eighth AF commander visits BTF Airmen in European theater

    Eighth AF commander visits BTF Airmen in European theater

    Photo By Tech. Sgt. Kayla White | Maj. Gen James Dawkins Jr., Eighth Air Force commander, poses for a photo with members...... read more read more

    FAIRFORD, GLS, UNITED KINGDOM

    09.05.2019

    Story by Staff Sgt. Kayla White 

    509th Bomb Wing

    Maj. Gen. James Dawkins Jr., the Eighth Air Force commander, flew across the Atlantic to visit his Airmen at Royal Air Base Fairford, England, from August 27-28, 2019. He also flew a B-2 training sortie during his visit.

    “The opportunity to get out and visit units gives me that rare insight into how they’re actually operating,” said Dawkins. I learned a tremendous amount during this visit.”

    Airmen from across Air Force Global Strike Command, including Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, Dyess AFB, Texas, and Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, along with Airmen from Spangdahlem Air Base and Ramstein Air Base, Germany, converged as a Bomber Task Force to conduct theater integration and flying training in support of European Command objectives.


    He said this deployment brings together the best leaders from the wing-level on down.

    “I was really excited to see the multiple Eighth Air Force teams joining to execute our mission,” said Dawkins. “They really came together to make this deployment happen.”

    Dawkins said having this type of training helps the U.S. maintain that level of unpredictability it needs to keep its adversaries guessing, and provides the president options by testing out ability to operate from various locations around the world.

    “When we participate in Bomber Task Force missions, it sends a huge message to our adversaries that we can strike from anywhere,” said Dawkins.

    Dawkins also explained how BTF missions bolster our relationships with allies.

    “There’s strength in numbers,” he said. “The U.S. and our allies, have critical capabilities to bring to the fold.”


    BTF deployments allow the U.S. to demonstrate to its strategic partners its commitment to global security and stability, said Dawkins.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 09.05.2019
    Date Posted: 09.05.2019 04:36
    Story ID: 338461
    Location: FAIRFORD, GLS, GB

    Web Views: 60
    Downloads: 2

    PUBLIC DOMAIN