AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar -- Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Stephen W. Wilson visited Al Udeid Air Base to gain a better understanding of current operational successes and challenges in the U.S. Air Force Central Command area of responsibility as well as impart Headquarters Air Force strategic vision, Sept. 25-27, 2019.
Upon arrival, Wilson met with Maj. Gen. Salem Hamad Al Nabet, Qatar Emiri Air Force commander, Lt. Gen. Joseph T. Guastella Jr., commander of U.S. Air Force Central Command, Brig. Gen. Daniel Tulley, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, and other host nation leaders. Wilson took this opportunity to thank Hamad Al Nabet for his hospitality, partnership and continuous support of the U.S. Air Force.
During his visit, Wilson received a first-hand look at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, where he was briefed on AUAB’s present and future missions and the buildout of Al Udeid.
He addressed how Airmen have a vital role in the region and how they are instrumental to mission success.
“Every Airman is important, everyone has a role and is vital to mission success in U.S. Central Command,” said Wilson. “…from the Logistics Readiness Squadron Airman pumping fuel in the jets, running the largest fuel operation in the Department of Defense, to the Operations Group Airmen, launching jets out of here 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.”
“We accomplish the mission through some amazing Airmen,” said Wilson. “As I get to go out and meet people and hear the stories of what they are doing for our nation, it gives me great optimism.”
Wilson received a tour of AFCENT’s Combined Air Operations Center and met face to face with CAOC leadership to discuss current and future operations impacting the entire U.S. Central Command region.
“You guys are making Multi-Domain Command and Control happen today,” said Wilson,“In the Air Force we need for the future, we must get our machines doing the work they do best [in MDC2], converging on the most important targets at speed and scale. That way we can better focus our people on the parts of the mission that require human intellect and engagement.” Wilson also engaged with Airmen during an all call that focused on building Air Force capability through empowerment, innovation, continuous development, resiliency and Comprehensive Airmen Fitness.
“What I see is Airmen that aren’t waiting on the future, they are making it,” said Wilson. “They aren’t satisfied with the status quo, they are making it better for those after them.”
Additionally five Airmen from the 379th AEW and five Airmen from AFCENT were recognized for their innovative initiatives, hard work and dedication to advancing the AUAB mission.
“I love the innovative spirit, I love the empowerment and I love the people here that are rolling up their sleeves and getting after the challenges and turning them in to opportunities,” said Wilson. “Thank you for being here and doing what you do for the Air Force.”