Departing commander gives his Airmen high marks

Published Nov. 11, 2012
By Capt. Tristan Hinderliter
451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Later this month, Brig. Gen. Scott Dennis wraps up a one-year tour as commander of Kandahar Airfield and the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing, a major Coalition airpower hub in Afghanistan.

General Dennis will relinquish command during a ceremony Nov. 19, capping what he described as a very rewarding year. The general is an F-16 fighter pilot by trade and personally flew more than 60 combat missions during his time here.

"As a senior officer, getting to take part in combat at the pointy end of the spear - that was one of the highlights," Dennis said. "Supporting troops on the ground with close air support, talking to the folks on the radio, and getting to see the mission up close and personal was very rewarding."

One mission in particular stood out for him, he said.

Earlier this year, a group of Special Operations troops hit an Improvised Explosive Device in eastern Afghanistan and had taken casualties. Dennis was overhead in his F-16, the only fighter jet in the area. The general engaged the enemy with bombs and strafing runs, allowing a medical evacuation helicopter to come to the troops' aid.

In addition to flying combat missions, Dennis commanded more than 6,000 troops in the AEW and as the NATO commander of KAF. He was also responsible for the defense of all 27,000 personnel here.

"I'm really proud of the teamwork across this base," Dennis said. "Watching all the NATO nations that work here, all the services, and all the servicemembers - both military and civilian - get things done every day has been pretty impressive."

In his NATO role as commander of KAF, the general had the opportunity to do "key leader engagements" with civilian and military leadership around Kandahar.

"Getting to know the Afghans has been a huge learning experience," he said. "I've really enjoyed learning about them and understanding their culture. Seeing them work to build a safe and secure Afghanistan has been a great experience."

The general said he was proud of what he and his team were able to accomplish during his time here. By nearly every measure, the security conditions have improved. There has been less indirect fire directed at the base, and there have been no significant attacks on KAF in the past year.

"The unity of effort amongst all the commands located at KAF has improved dramatically," he said. "I don't take credit for that, but I'm proud of being part of it."

The mission of the 451st AEW - one of three U.S. air expeditionary wings in Afghanistan - is to provide a "persistent and powerful airpower presence" for Coalition forces. To accomplish that mission, the wing has a variety of assets and capabilities: air mobility, aeromedical evacuation, close air support, combat search and rescue, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and electronic attack assets.

"Thanks to what this wing brings to the fight, there are no Coalition folks outside the wire that don't have airpower moments away or over their heads during their operations," Dennis said "We do it quietly, we do it from above, but we are a huge part of what's getting done over here, engaging the enemy and protecting our troops."

Dennis said he was inspired by the Airmen he had the privilege to lead.

"Our servicemembers are making their country proud every day over here," he said. "The fight still goes on, and seeing Americans serve their country in this fight is really inspiring."

The general's next assignment will be as special assistant to the Commander of Air Combat Command, with duties at Shaw AFB, S.C.