ACC commander visits 53rd, Eglin

  • Published
  • By Samuel King Jr.
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Eglin's contributions to the warfighter are clear and apparent to those who live and work within its reach, but Oct. 13, the commander of Air Combat Command got a firsthand look at just how vast the base's role is in today's fight.

Gen. William M. Fraser III, ACC commander, spent the entire day visiting and conversing with Eglin Airmen, particularly members of the 53rd Wing, the base's only ACC wing, prior to his speech at the Air Armament Symposium Oct. 14.

"This base is crucial to what we are doing, which is delivering global power to America," said the general and bomber pilot. "There is nothing sent out to our Airmen that hasn't been tested and evaluated as far as platforms, weapons and equipment, that doesn't first pass through Eglin."

The general spoke with a large group of ACC Airmen at a commander's call and handed out some awards, including a Combat Action Medal to Lt. Col. Kenneth Rose, a reservist in the 53rd Wing's 84th Test and Evaluation Squadron.

"It was an honor to have General Fraser present the medal," said Colonel Rose, who received the medal for actions as a AC-130 crewmember during Operation Enduring Freedom. "He is the first four-star I've ever met."

Additionally, General Fraser brought up his plan for ACC, which is to fight today's fight while balancing the resources to be ready for the future.

"We live in an unpredictable and dangerous world -- it is important for the Air Force to accomplish things today, yet also be prepared for tomorrow," said the 35-year veteran and Texas native. "We have to do what we can to make it better for those who follow."

He also spoke about the challenges his command faces, which are interlinked with his plan of balancing today's needs and future goals.

"In our resource-constrained environment, we have to make some tough decisions -- we can't do everything," the general said . "I don't believe in the 'peanut butter' approach of spreading everything around. We have to prioritize what is necessary, and there may be some programs and activities we can't do based on the resources we're given, but that's okay because those decisions will be made in a deliberate manner and with measured risk."

After the call, General Fraser met with base leadership to discuss vital issues facing Eglin, including the F-35. The general shared lunch with more than 30 53rd Airmen to discuss topics important to them -- a matter of great importance to the COMACC.

"Since I took command, I've devoted time to listen and learn what the issues of the Airmen are," he said. "It helps me do a better job as a commander -- I work for them."

Time management was the main topic of lunch conversation, but it branched off to many areas, such as career decision-making and hard work.

"I really enjoyed the luncheon," said Airman Christopher Beall, 68th Electronic Warfare Squadron. "He told side-stories of how he got to where he is today and I thought that was very interesting."

Afterward, he toured some of the unique facilities around Eglin like the F-35 reprogramming lab, pod shop and Eglin's combined developmental and operational test flight building.

After taking in only a small percentage of what Eglin offers, the new combat commander was highly awed.

"I'm extremely impressed with everything I saw today, especially the total-force Airmen," he said after the day's events. "It was obvious Eglin has some of the brightest and finest, and they are focused on getting things right so they can deliver the best product to the fight. That's a significant contribution."