SJ Airmen impress COMACC

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. – Goldsboro Mayor Al King presents commander, Air Combat Command, Gen. William Fraser III a golden key to the city June 16, 2010. During his visit, General Fraser received a tour of the base, listened to the base’s challenges and spoke to Airmen about hot topics affecting them. General Fraser is also the Air Component Commander for U.S. Joint Forces Command. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Courtney Richardson)

SJ Airmen impress COMACC

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. – Bev Fraser speaks with the wives of deployed and recently-returned Airmen June 17, 2010. Dee Dee Doherty hosted the forum to give the spouses a chance to speak with Mrs. Fraser on ways to improve the current programs that support those left behind while their spouses are away from home. Mrs. Fraser is the wife of commander, Air Combat Command, Gen. William M. Fraser III. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ciara Wymbs)

SJ Airmen impress COMACC

Published June 25, 2010
By Staff Sgt. Heather Stanton
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. (ACCNS) -- The commander of Air Combat Command made a stop here June 16-17 to witness firsthand what Seymour Johnson Airmen bring to the fight.

"Thanks for the opportunity to visit and see all the great things our Airmen are doing at Seymour Johnson," said Gen. William M. Fraser III. "I've been extremely impressed by all the Airmen I've had the opportunity to meet."

Though Team Seymour impressed the general, there are still some Air Force-wide priorities that are foremost in the general's mind.

"One of the biggest challenges I think we all have is making sure that we are focused on taking care of our Airmen, they're the ones who accomplish the mission every day, whether it's here or in a deployed location," the general said. "There is a heavy demand for our Airmen and the combatant commanders really value the contributions our enablers and the F-15E are making to today's fight."

General Fraser visited with hundreds of Airmen around the base and held an "all call" where he discussed issues such as deployment cycles, balancing career field manning and being a good wingman.

"We have to make sure we are doing everything we can to be a good leader, mentor, supervisor and friend," he said. "We have to use all the tools available to us to take care of each other. You're our most important asset."

Being the commander of ACC comes with many challenges.

"The biggest issues that I see facing us right now is our high ops tempo and increased mission that is being levied upon us," General Fraser said. "One thing we do from the headquarters' perspective is make sure we are focused on today's fight while still making sure that we are prepared for an uncertain tomorrow, we have to have the right balance within our given resources. I know that there is stress and that all are making sacrifices, but I couldn't be prouder of the way you are responding to accomplish the mission."

Though he faces this effort to balance resources with increased mission, the general enjoys the job because of the Airmen he serves.

"The most rewarding thing I can think of about this job is getting to work for others who are serving in our Air Force - it is not the machines it is the people." he said. "We have to remember that we all volunteered to be here and just knowing that people want to be a part of our Air Force motivates me to get up every morning and then do everything I can to make a difference for the youngest to the oldest Airman in ACC. That's what makes it exciting, that's what makes it rewarding...the people."