AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar -- “Every one of you are appreciated, and you are making a difference for our nation and the coalition.”
That was the message delivered to Airmen at more than 10 forward operating locations by Lt. Gen. Joseph T. Guastella, U.S. Air Forces Central Command commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Shawn L. Drinkard, AFCENT Command Chief.
The leaders visited nine countries over the course of 25 days in August, communicating directly to AFCENT Airmen across the region that Airpower is as relevant as it’s ever been. Further, they stressed the continuing demand for air, space and cyber power from U.S. Central Command as well as America’s allies and partners. This includes securing the high ground by providing operational command and control, precision strike, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, mobility, personnel recovery, space force enhancement, and agile combat support.
“Our number one line of effort is security and stability in the region, and in being here you prevent those bad actors from accomplishing their objectives by protecting our troops and defending our regional partners. Airpower is absolutely crucial to all of this,” Guastella said. He then went on to explain to AFCENT Airmen that what they do is critically important to CENTCOM’s mission and for America.
“It is inspirational to see our Airmen in the fight,” Guastella said, “No matter where you are (in the Middle East region), you are away from home and your loved ones, but the sacrifice is worth it because what you are doing is vital to bringing stability in the CENTCOM area of responsibility.”
“Thank you for your service and sacrifice.”
Guastella further explained that support of the mission in Afghanistan is AFCENT’s number one focus. Known as OPERATION FREEDOM’S SENTINEL, the mission supports counterterrorism operations against Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and ISIS-K to ensure Afghanistan is never again used to stage attacks against the American homeland. AFCENT’s support to OFS is ongoing.
“You continue to generate the sustained force that space and cyber power can levy upon our adversaries.”
He also discussed OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE and its mission to eliminate ISIS and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIS in Iraq and Syria further limits the group’s ability to project terror and conduct operations.
“We were successful in defeating the ISIS physical caliphate, now it’s about defeating ISIS and countering their threat activities in the region,” Guastella said. “They, along with other malign actors, are still out there and we are focused on preventing what all of those enemies want to do next – like attacking our regional partners or trying to ignite conflict in the region.”
AFCENT is constantly adjusting its posture to make things difficult for “some very determined and innovative adversaries,” Guastella said.
The general also shared with Airmen one critical way in which AFCENT is expanding its operational resiliency and redundancy.
“There is phenomenal work going on at a newly established austere operating location, our Airmen are setting up a bare base and turning it into an airfield capable of generating airpower,” he said. “This provides us another level of depth and redundancy in the battle space, and we need to have that.”
Drinkard said the talent he and Guastella see at various locations throughout the Middle East “is humbling,” and assured the Airmen that “there is nothing routine about what we do.”
“We thank you for saying yes when your country needed you, we understand and appreciate the value you bring to the team, and we know you are not going to stop because our mission never stops,” Drinkard said.
“You are surrounded by warriors to your left and right, warriors who understand our purpose and warriors who will continue to execute our mission at an extremely high level,” Drinkard said.
But he also issued a challenge to the Airmen.
“Take care of the warrior next to you,” Drinkard said. “It is an implied task for all of us to take care of one another because we have to be at our very best each and every day, our mission demands it. No matter how busy you are, you are never too busy to take care of another human being.”
The command chief then offered perspective.
“Think about the people that love you the most and what they are thinking about … they are thinking about what is happening in their day-to-day lives,” Drinkard said. “They are not thinking about the Taliban or ISIS or attacks on the homeland because you are thinking about that and making sure they don’t have to worry about those things. “They can sleep well at night because of you.”
The general echoed the command chief’s sentiments, emphasizing resiliency and the critical mission of Airmen – Wingmen -- taking care of each other. Guastella said that during their travels, he and the command chief coined three Airmen at various locations who intervened and prevented individuals from hurting themselves, from possibly committing suicide.
He stressed that he and the entire AFCENT leadership team owed every Airman two things: “We owe our Airmen good leadership first, and a professional work environment second.”
Guastella closed with one final message to the Airmen of AFCENT: “We could not do what we need to do without each and every one of you, and you are making a difference!”