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| News > AMC Commander lauds Alamo Wing for successful mission |
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General Ray Johns, Air Mobility Command commander, visits the 433rd Airlift Wing, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. While at the Alamo Wing, General Johns addressed aircrew and commanders, thanking them for their hard work during a recent mission to western Europe. In addition, General Johns spoke about AMC aircraft, mission and future plans. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Brian McGloin)
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AMC Commander lauds Alamo Wing for successful mission
Posted 7/22/2012 Updated 8/4/2012
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by Tech. Sgt. Carlos J. Trevino
433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
7/22/2012 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- "When we need to move stuff, we call the C-5 Galaxy," Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr., Air Mobility Command commander, said to crew members from the 433rd Airlift Wing during a briefing at the 68th Aerial Squadron Auditorium.
Johns said that he was "appreciative" of the work done by Alamo Wing members to keep the largest transport in the Air Force inventory flying during a deployment to Europe. Alamo Wing C-5s flew sorties from a western European air base to Ramstein AB and Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
"Getting planes out, dealing with a lot of folks, the attitude of everybody who is here is awesome. I came down here to say thank you," Johns said about the Airmen assembled after he coined four noncommissioned officers' for their efforts.
One of the NCO's coined during the visit was Chief Master Sgt. Theodore Williams II, 433rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron superintendent. "I think it was very productive. When people do good work, they want to hear they did a good job. They want to hear from leadership. That's what [Johns] did. [He] priority tasked us. That's what we like to hear, especially from his level," said Williams, who served as the maintenance flight chief superintendent for the deployment.
"I think it's great it was inspiring," said Lt. Col. Jimmie Brooks, 433rd Operations Support Squadron commander."I have been here 22 years, and he is the only AMC commander who has come to inspire us about where we are going for the future," said.
The 433rd AW assisted in fulfilling a portion of the AMC mission: to provide rapid, global mobility and sustainment for America's armed forces.
"I think that for headquarters to set lofty goals for us to achieve, and that they come down here to recognize us for our achievements makes us try harder when we go out there to accomplish our next missions," Brooks said.
Johns also engaged wing members in a question and answer session. He praised their efforts for continuing to provide critical training and supporting the global airlift mission.
"You do two things: on the school house side you give me wonderful air crews. I never have to worry about their proficiency, or their standardization, you give me a great product. On the other side you give us so much airlift capability," Johns said.
"Afghanistan does not have seaports. Everything goes out by land or air," Johns said. He envisions C-5s playing an important role during the 2014 drawdown in moving cargo and personnel. "I'm trying to use the C-5 to pick up loads and drop them off at the nearest seaport."
"What they don't understand is that I need to maintain readiness, that is why the C-5 is very important to us," Johns said.
Wing members involved in the recent western European airlift mission lived up to the "You call, we haul" catchphrase on the back of old Alamo Wing t-shirts.
"You stepped up in a huge way. I really appreciate what you do," said Johns as he departed the auditorium. |
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