ACC's top general visits 1st Air Force

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TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  During a two-day visit to 1st Air Force Jan. 28 and 29, the commander of Air Combat Command expressed profound thanks to the men and women of 1st Air Force for their ongoing efforts in homeland defense and humanitarian aid, and a strong desire to engage with them to hear and address their concerns.

At his commander's call Jan. 29, the sentiment was in his opening remarks and repeated often throughout his presentation.

"My first message is thank you for all your hard work," said Gen. William Fraser III. "And thank your families for their sacrifices which let you accomplish the mission. I'm very appreciative of that. But what I really need to do is hear from you -- there is nothing I like more. "

Tech. Sgt. Timothy Lord, Alpha Flight Team NCO in charge from the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, expressed his thoughts on ACC's top officer visit.

"I always enjoy when senior leadership gives praise to our fellow Airmen who are defending the U.S. borders," he said. "It is vital that the day-to-day mission be carried out to include preparations for exercises, inspections, temporary duty assignments and deployments and to hear 'job well done' from the commander is always welcomed and appreciated."

Aside from his commander's call, he toured the Killey Center for Homeland Operations, visited the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group, received mission briefings, and visited the 601st Air & Space Operations Center. He also addressed some concerns foremost to his tenure as a major command commander -- taking care of each other was at the top.

"The key is being a good wingman, being out there, staying connected with each other," he said. "It doesn't matter if you're active duty, Guard, Reserve or civilian. There is strength in reaching out."

And the general expressed his thoughts about particular aspects of the 1st Air Force mission, namely Defense Support of Civil Authorities and the air sovereignty alert mission.

"I think the unique thing about the military is our flexibility and agility to provide assistance across a number of areas," he said. "We're going to continue to provide whatever capabilities we have for whatever the crisis may be just as we did during previous hurricanes and other natural disasters."

Additionally, he lauded the Airmen supporting ongoing Haiti operations.

"What we're doing in Haiti is huge, and I'm extremely proud of our men and women who are providing that critical support to the Haitians at this time."

Addressing the ASA mission, he stressed it's a mission that will continue despite a draw down of assets that include the F-15C Eagle.

"We are going to continue to support the air sovereignty mission and you will not see a lapse in our commitment or capabilities to support it. We'll ensure we meet the mission with whatever assets are necessary to accomplish that."

He also toured the Killey Center for Homeland Operations and termed it, "a world-class facility." He said when he previously visited Tyndall, the men and women of 1st Air Force were spread into a number of facilities, so to be able to bring them together into one facility is a "tremendous feat."

"It was an honor and a pleasure to host General Fraser and highlight the professionalism and pride of our 1st Air Force organization," said Maj. Gen. Garry Dean, 1st Air Force commander. "The general was well impressed with what he saw, and I know I speak for the organization when I say we appreciate the time he took to meet with Airmen to hear their concerns."