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Airmen are enablers to mission success

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Shaun Emery
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  During a recent visit to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, Lt. Gen. Mike Hostage, U.S. Air Forces Central commander, spoke highly of the Airmen supporting ground commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

General Hostage said he and his fellow military leaders are confident Airmen here and across the Southwest Asia area of operations will continue to perform at a high level whether operating from the air or ground. 

"The 386th AEW is a key element in our lift capability to move men, women and equipment down range," he said. "The EC-130 missions keep troops on ground safe and all troops in Iraq would be getting very hungry without the 586th AEG combat truckers." 

Those combat truckers are just one example of how Airmen across the AOR are playing a key role in Army operations. 

"We have so much of the Army deployed that they don't have enough enablers to keep machine running. So the Air Force is filing in where we're needed," said General Hostage. "By putting Airmen in the Army system we keep the machine from grinding to a halt. They are so impressed with quality of our Airmen they don't want to let them go."
General Hostage emphasized that although Joint Expeditionary Tasked Airmen are serving in Army units, the Air Force is keeping tabs on them to make sure they're being used effectively. 

"We have organized and structured our JET Airmen program to ensure Airmen are being taken care of by Airmen," he said. "So even if one lone ranger is out there in middle of Army organization, there is an Airman supervisor paying attention to where he or she is. They are making sure that Airman is performing the job they're tasked to do. If they're not needed for that job, we will move them somewhere else or ultimately bring them home." 

As personnel begin to withdraw from Iraq, the Air Force will continue to provide top-cover so the transition is smooth. 

"The Air Force is a fundamental enabler for Army," said General Hostage. "We are going to go through a period of tremendous change in the next few months. Between now and next August, there will be a significant retrograde of ground forces. During that time it's Airmen and airpower that provides the leverage aspect that will keep them safe. Our mission will be to keep combat power up where it needs to be in case enemy decides to cause mischief. Airmen will be holding the line." 

General Hostage said he told the Army commanders, the Air Force will not pull Airmen out of Iraq until they're comfortable we can go with a lower force structure there. 

While decisions on operations in Afghanistan are currently being debated, General Hostage said the Air Force will continue provided unparalleled support when those decisions are made. 

"General McChrystal outlined his requirement and leadership is mulling it over. If they decide on an increase we'll be ready because an increase in ground forces means an increase in Air Force enablers to make ground forces effective. If they choose a different strategy we'll be prepared for that too. General Petraeus was very complimentary when hired me," General Hostage added. "He said AFCENT was doing what he needed us to do, and doing it at high level. I get good feedback that what they're getting from the Airmen is superb. We're doing a great job." 

No matter how an Airman serves, General Hostage said they should be proud of what they do day in and day out for their fellow Americans. 

"Everyone who wears a uniform should be very proud because they are guaranteeing the freedoms that all Americans enjoy," he said. "I'm a grandpa. I have three granddaughters who are going to grow up and have the opportunity to make choices and do what they want to do because this generation of young Americans chose to put on a uniform and guarantee that freedom. As a grandpa and a citizen I say thanks, as their commander I say well done."