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Visiting warrior spirit and Airmen pride

  • Published
  • By SSgt. Ian Carrier
  • 386 AEW/PA
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Lt. Gen. Gary North, Commander U.S. Central Command Air Forces, paid a visit to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing during his tour of the CENTAF Area of Responsibility. During the evening visit, Gen. North spent some time getting to know some of the service members here, men and woman of all ranks and branches. 

Gen. North began his tour at the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility (CASF), which is often one of the first stops for wounded personnel coming from Iraq and Afghanistan. Some patients are treated at the CASF while waiting to be transported to a military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany. In the case of more severe injuries, patients are sent on from there back to the States. The General praised the members of the 386th Expeditionary Medical Squadron for their outstanding work in treating patients from all colors of the military spectrum. He then spent time with each and every Airman, Soldier and Sailor being treated at the facility. 

The General then visited the Desert Winds Dining Facility, just across the street. The Desert Winds is in the process of extensive remodeling. The seating capacity is being enlarged, the kitchen improved and the appearance overhauled. Gen. North lauded the staff, consisting of Air Force Services personnel and Contract Workers for the excellence in service they display in ensuring the base receives the best possible dining experience. 

Gen. North next toured the base Entry Control Points on base to meet with 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron members. At each gate the General was given a Post Brief by one of the Airmen on duty. The briefs consisted of detailed strings of information delivered in a concise manner. They included descriptions of the immediate mission, the weapons systems, area of responsibility, and Article 6 of the Code of Conduct. At Echo 4 the General was even treated to the Air Force song by Senior Aimen Lashonna Wooten and Valerie Ellis, 386 ESFS. Aside from formalities and passing out coins, the General took the time to get to know a little bit about each and every Airman he encountered. 

Gen. North made it a point everywhere he went to voice his pride in today's Airmen. Air Force personnel find themselves actively participating in a very important mission, and in many instances are doing non-traditional jobs. The General noted that Airmen are doing an outstanding job and making many sacrifices. At one station, the General even tried to call the father of one of the Airmen to express how proud he was with the job she was doing, leaving a message on the answering machine when no one was home.
One question the General asked every Airman was, "How many times have you been deployed?" 

Many had multiple deployments; 4, 5, 6 and up. Still there were several young Airmen here for the first time, a few having been here longer than at their first home stations. Most, if not all Airmen he questioned were here voluntarily, a testament to the dedication of today's Air Force, the 386 AEW warrior spirit and Airmen pride.
Over the course of the evening, Gen. North gave out a total of 38 coins, 28 going to Security Force Defenders. 

The General's parting words were, "I enjoyed tonight. It always amazes me how great our Airmen are!"