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380AEW Article

Deputy CFACC reminisces at 380th AEW

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Denise Johnson
  • 380th AEW Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Maj. Gen. Douglas L. Raaberg, the Deputy Combined Force Air Component Commander for United States Central Command, visited the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing here Aug. 28.

The general and the wing are old acquaintances. He served as a FB-111A pilot, instructor pilot and an evaluator pilot for the 380th Bombardment Wing in Plattsburgh, N.Y., from 1983 to 1987.

"It's not a very well-known fact that I'm a 380th alumnus," General Raaberg said. "This is a reunion for me; it's my heritage."

Since that time, both General Raaberg and the 380th wing have undergone several transformations in the Air Force before getting reacquainted.

As the general graduated through airframes and assignments, so too, did the 380th. They both had stints with fighters, bombers and refuelers, to name a few, before eventually making their way into their current expeditionary status in Southwest Asia.

As General Raaberg visited the wing, he took time to address a group of Airmen in a Global Hawk hangar, "We work for our three-star, Lt. Gen. Gary North, the 9th Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Central Commander. He really respects the extraordinary power capability the 380th brings to the fight in Afghanistan."

The DCFACC explained several ways the 380th AEW contributes to U.S. efforts in the area of operations. "Some of our most advanced technology resides here, bringing us crucial intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance," he explained. "Additionally, the KC-10 is the 'power booster' for numerous strike and support aircraft."

General Raaberg is no stranger to the wing's capabilities, from reconnaissance and intelligence, to the refueling mission. He said the mission here is a key element in his role not only as a Combined Air and Space Operations Center decision maker, but as a qualified B-1 combat pilot, as well.

"Hooking up and refueling from a KC-10 boosts our combat readiness upwards of three- to four- additional hours of on-station time," the command pilot said. "For those warriors on the ground, that can make the difference that saves their lives."

From the big-picture perspective of the area of operations' second in command, the general said he's not the only one to appreciate what the 380th brings to the fight.

"The more than 3.5-million gallons of jet fuel your KC-10s help to offload daily to over 300 U.S. and Coalition aircraft provides critical overwatch capability to our fellow U.S. and NATO International Security Assistance Force members," he said. "Trust me, the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coalition and Afghan forces on the ground really appreciate this wing."

The 380th AEW has transformed air-battle management and high-altitude reconnaissance, the general stated.

"The potential of the Global Hawk and the U-2 required overhead, together with the (Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft), is limitless. In fact, today - as in every day - you will be 100-percent on-target, on-station performing critical and vital response to other warfighters."

Without the warrior Airmen of the 380th, the intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance mission and air-battle management would grind to a halt, General Raaberg said. The kinetic and non-kinetic benefits derived from advanced capabilities delivered by AWACS and the Global Hawk are immeasurable.

"You deliver a profound affect on the war effort," he said. "The 380th wing is tucked-in tight with the fight. It is unbelievable what you do."

People, according to General Raaberg, are what makes the mission work and succeed.

"We're using the most sophisticated equipment and yet we're still counting on the most capable weapon in our arsenal - people," he said. "It's important to recognize our most valued asset."

Brig. Gen. H.D. Polumbo, Jr., thanked General Raaberg for taking the time to visit the wing and to recognize five of the wing's finest Airmen during his visit.

The 30-plus year veteran has seen his share of great things, most of which he explains are the people he met along the way. General Raaberg said his path is ongoing, "I don't sit at the zenith or the pinnacle of my career. I am honored to sit in the cradle of opportunity."