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CFACC visits Grand Slam Wing

  • Published
  • By Capt. Angela Webb
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  The commander of U.S. Air Forces Central Command spent Dec. 9 with the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing to get a more in-depth picture of day-to-day wing operations.

Lt. Gen. David Goldfein visited various locations throughout the Grand Slam Wing, including the 379th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Medical Clinic, Civil Engineer Squadron's Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight, and Logistics Readiness Squadron.

"It was an excellent experience to get time with General Goldfein and hear his perspective of where we are and where we are going," said Staff Sgt. Jordan Fiebelkorn, 379th Maintenance Group Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory craftsman. "It was an honor to show him our mission, and have him meet the amazing team we have."

Goldfein ended the day at the Coalition Compound Theater speaking to approximately 400 Airmen on his roles in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. He also spoke about the footprint in Southwest Asia, and how the mission of the Grand Slam Wing will continue to be important.

"What we are trying to do here is build a team based on trust and confidence, find a common operating picture and understand what the region looks like, so we're far better capable of employing together," said Goldfein,

The general also discussed how vital every unit and Airman is to the mission. No matter the job, everyone is key to mission success.

"Everyone I talked to enjoyed the commander's call, especially the question and answer session," said Capt. Kenrick Kokaram, 379th Expeditionary Communication Squadron operations flight commander. "It was uplifting to hear his thoughts on the importance of communications in the AOR, and how he really gets our mission."

The commander also emphasized how the Air Force is committed to eliminating sexual assault and preventing an environment conducive to sexual harassment.

"Clearly with 700 sexual assaults, which were only actually reported last year in our Air Force ... can we all agree in the fact that this is unacceptable? Even one is unacceptable, so 700 are clearly unacceptable," Goldfein said. "Our Chief [Air Force Chief of Staff] said if we aren't talking about it, we are part of the problem, not part of the solution; so let's have this dialogue and get better together."

The Air Force cannot stress enough how it is every Airman's duty to detect, deter and ultimately report misconduct immediately, the general said. The Air Force established a Sexual Assault and Prevention Program in 2005 specifically to focus on victim care, prevention and accountability.

"I would argue at the end of the day, when we put this uniform on we take the greatest treasure in our nation's arsenal - our young men and women who signed up to join and serve - and we mold and train them," said Goldfein. "We marry them up with the greatest technology in air, space, and cyberspace so we can make the world a better place for our kids and grandkids."