CENTAF commander visits 379th Air Expeditionary Wing

Published Aug. 19, 2007
By Senior Airman Clark Staehle
379th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Lt. Gen. Gary North, U.S. Central Command Air Forces and 9th Air Force commander, visited the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Wednesday, kicking off a tour that will take him to expeditionary bases throughout the area of responsibility.

General North discussed issues surrounding the Air Force's enduring presence in Southwest Asia, received a first-hand look a the theater-wide support provided by the wing, and was briefed by Airmen throughout his tour.

The first place the general visited was Airmen of the 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron. The 71st EACS works hand-in-hand with the Army 343rd Air Defense Artillery and help man the control and reporting center. The CRC helps provide the region with a "protective umbrella," which is like a big picture that identifies anything flying in nearby airspace.

The general was given a tour of an operations module, and afterward met with the squadron's Airmen where he said they fill a critical role helping to defend the 379th Air
Expeditionary Wing and ultimately the U.S. from enemies.

"What you're doing here is very important," General North said. "A priority of our business is the defense of the base."

General North also visited the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron munitions flight. There, he praised the Airmen for hitting the ground running, building more than 400 bombs since arriving here less than a month ago.

The general spoke to the Airmen about their role in supporting servicemembers on the ground like joint terminal attack controllers and applauded them for their efforts supporting the Global War on Terrorism.

"This is the business end of what we do," General North said. "So far we're doing a good job and we're going to continue to do a good job."

Next, General North visited the state-of-the-art facilities at Millennium Village. The general was given a brief by Lt. Col. Michael Saunders, 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, who explained the project's progress, construction schedule, cost, manning and amenities once it opens.

Afterward, the general toured the AOR's only Airman Readiness Center and Lt. Col. Susan Ferrera, 379th Expeditionary Services Squadron commander, provided the general with an overview of all the services-related facilities on base.

While at the ARC, General North was also briefed by Senior Master Sgt. Scott Graham, 379th AEW military equal opportunity, and Capt. Angie Batts, 379th AEW sexual assault response coordinator, on their office's mission and its support of other bases throughout the AOR.

The next stop on General North's tour was the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group. The 379th EMDG caters to the health-related needs of the Desert Eagle Team, but also helps servicemembers injured in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom recuperate and recover until they can be sent back into the field.

He was given an extensive tour of the facilities, including the operating room, where he was briefed on the most common injuries and procedures performed by the staff. He was also given tours of the physical therapy clinic, medical logistics flight and intensive care unit

Once in the physical therapy clinic, General North coined Staff Sgt. Richard Hardin for stepping up after the loss of a fellow Airman.

Once in the intensive care ward, General North sat down with servicemembers recovering here from wounds received throughout the AOR. He conversed with them, asking them about their injuries and their treatment and welfare here.

General North's tour concluded with a stop at the 379th EMDG's medical logistics flight, where he spoke to the Airmen about their contribution to Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and the importance of their time here.

"Our medical capacity is what makes us the best fighting force in the world," he said. "You all are providing all the support you can to those in need. I appreciate what you do. The best success story we have is the medical success story."