Subscribe
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany — Religious support and relationship building are critical components of mission readiness across the force, according to the U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa command chaplain.
U.S. Air Force Col. Ralph Elliott, the Air Force’s senior chaplain in Europe, and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Andrew Fraser, Air National Guard liaison to Headquarters USAFE-AFAFRICA Office of the Command Chaplain senior enlisted leader, emphasized this message during a recent engagement with 52nd Fighter Wing leaders and local chapel personnel.
The religious affairs leaders visited the base to engage with local chapel personnel and meet with wing leaders to discuss how religious support contributes to mission readiness across the force. Their talks focused on how spiritual care, proactive counseling and unit cohesion directly support Airmen and their families. “We provide functional leadership, mentorship, guidance and advocacy for chapel teams across the theater,” Elliott said. “Being here in person allows us to truly know the people we’re serving and supporting. This in-person engagement is vitally important.”
The engagement highlighted chaplains’ and religious affairs Airmen's essential roles in counseling, unit cohesion and advocacy for all Airmen, said U.S. Air Force Capt. Willy Gedeon, 52nd Fighter Wing chaplain, and emphasized the importance of caring for military families as the support system for service members at home.
“We have to keep up the spiritual readiness and morale of not only the people wearing the uniform but also their spouses and children,” Gedeon said. “(We do this) through retreats, town halls, worship services and our daily ministry.”
The visiting officials recognized key chapel personnel for their recent contributions to the spiritual care of the Spangdahlem community with commander’s challenge coins and emphasized the importance of active support outreach during difficult times.
“Building relationships matters because when challenges come up, people are more willing to reach out and ask for help,” Fraser said. “We get the opportunity to encourage Airmen, help solve problems and come alongside them through difficult times and successes.”
| Date Taken: | 06.28.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 07.17.2026 10:03 |
| Story ID: | 568887 |
| Location: | RHEINLAND-PFALZ, DE |
| Web Views: | 8 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Religious support, relationships are vital to mission readiness across USAFE-AFAFRICA, command chaplain says, by A1C Kacie Ramos, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
