AMC commander visits BAF Airmen; shows appreciation

Published Oct. 14, 2012
By SSgt Jeff Nevison
455 AEW PA

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN -- Gen. Raymond Johns Jr., AMC Command commander, came to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Oct. 12, 2012. He met with key leaders discuss the future of airlift missions out of Bagram and ask Airmen for their input.

Johns spoke with Airmen about their missions and asked Airmen if he could do for them to improve processes as well as to learn about successes.

SMSgt Kenneth Anderson, 455th Expeditionary Aerial Port Squadron Operations superintendent, spoke with the general regarding aerial port matters.

"I spoke with the general about how the 401st Army Field Support Brigade determines the status of
thousands of tactical vehicles and how AMC supports the movement of those vehivles via C-5 and C-17 aircraft."

Anderson said it was good to be able to showcase the mission of the 455 EAPS Aerial Porters to a high-ranking official, and to be able to relay issues to a high-ranking military official.

"When the top leader of the Air Force's Air Mobility Enterprise comes to hear about what you do and your concerns, it only solidifies how important we are in supporting the warfighter. I was honored to meet the general, and was glad to have the opportunity to represent the 455 EAPS "Port Dawgs" and discuss our role in sending warfighters and equipment back home via air power," said Anderson.

Along with meeting Airmen, the general also took time for impromptu opportunities to "coin" Airmen for going above and beyond with their missions.

MSgt Thomas Carpino, 455 Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Bravo Sector NCOIC, was one of the Airmen presented with a coin from Johns. It was an experience that he was not expecting.

"I was honored to be presented with a coin by General Johns. It was an awesome experience to have an upper-echelon leader come out and see what the security forces defenders' roles are in integrated base defense here at BAF," said Carpino.

Carpino also expressed his appreciation to leadership for bringing in a leader to see to what the "defenders" mission is on a daily basis.

"We often don't get to show case our capabilities to leadership outside of our direct chain of command. I spoke to the General about the obstacles our sector faces on BAF and how our sector is unique from the others in that it has urban areas and dense farm land that come right up to most of our perimeter."

The general spent most of the day with Airmen, conveying his appreciation for what they do here on BAF. He asked Airmen if they would recommend any changes, as Airmen continue to support the mission of U.S. and coalition forces here in Afghanistan.