An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

CENTCOM senior enlisted leader visits Airmen deployed to Southwest Asia

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Paul Labbe
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  The top enlisted leader for U.S. Central Command visited an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Aug. 30, to personally thank the men and women who provide air power on a continuous basis in support of ground operations in the Area of Responsibility.

During his visit, Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Grippe, U.S. CENTCOM senior enlisted leader, met with Airmen from the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing and presented coins to Airmen whose performance has gone above and beyond expectations.

Airman 1st Class Joshua Shea, 340th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, received a coin from Grippe during the visit.

"It was very nice seeing the command sergeant major come down here, talk to us and take a look at what we do here," said the Port Angeles, Wash., native deployed from McConnell Air Force Base, Kan.

The command sergeant major visited a multitude of aircraft, including the B-1B Lancer, E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System and a P-3C Orion.

"For our operations in Afghanistan -- as you know we have over 100,000 troops there -- if we didn't have the type of airpower we have today we would need five times if not more troops on the ground," Grippe said. "So when you look at it from a cost effective standpoint, it's really getting the taxpayers more bang for their buck."

Staff Sgt. Joshua Franke, 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of the wheel and tire shop, also received a coin from Grippe.

"I think it was good that he came down to see what we do and to support the Area of Responsibility and see how we help support the ground troops," said the Buffalo, N.Y., native
deployed from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.

Grippe touched on the Airmen's hard work and diligence and the impact they have on operations down range.

"You're out here sweating while maintaining these aircraft," Grippe said. "Speaking as a Joint guy and ground guy in the Army, you guys are really saving a lot of lives out there."