News

Third Air Force Leadership visits GSUs in Belgium, Germany

by United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa Public Affairs
March 14, 2025
U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Paul Moga, Third Air Force commander, fourth from left, and Chief Master Sgt. Stephanie Cates, Third Air Force command chief, left, pose with Defenders assigned to the Security Forces, Emergency Response Flight, 424th Air Base Squadron, during an immersion visit, on Chièvres Air Base, Belgium, Feb. 20, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Pierre-Etienne Courtejoie)

The Third Air Force command team, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Paul Moga and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Stephanie Cates, visited Airmen stationed at Chièvres Air Base, Belgium, and Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base, from Feb. 20-21.

The 424th Air Base Squadron at Chièvres Air Base, and the 470th Air Base Squadron and 852nd Medical Squadron at Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base are geographically separated units aligned under the 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein Air Base and the 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, respectively.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Paul Moga, Third Air Force commander, recognizes as an outstanding performer Tech Sgt. Arlene Carbadillo, assigned to the Air Traffic Control, Airfield Operations Flight, 424th Air Base Squadron, on Chièvres Air Base, Belgium, Feb. 20, 2025. Moga was in Chièvres with the Third Air Force command team, and performed an immersion tour to understand the daily missions of the Airmen stationed in Belgium with the Air Base Squadron. (U.S. Army photo by Pierre-Etienne Courtejoie)

The visits included engagements with multiple flights and shops across both bases, talking directly with Airmen to learn more about their day-to-day roles and responsibilities in the execution of each unit’s unique mission. The immersion helped the command team better understand the accomplishments and challenges of these squadrons, which are all located on host nation installations that support joint and combined capabilities executing U.S. and NATO operations.

Locations visited at Chièvres included the air traffic control tower, the petroleum, oil, and lubricant facility, and the fire department, where Maj. Gen. Moga participated in a live fire training exercise. “These Airmen from the 86th Airlift Wing have truly embraced the concept of being Mission Ready with their small teams on isolated bases,” said Cates.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Paul Moga, Third Air Force commander, with the red helmet, performs a check of a firehose as he will fight a live fire alongside firefighters assigned to the 424th Air Base Squadron, on Chièvres Air Base, Belgium, Feb. 20, 2025. Moga was in Chièvres for an immersion tour to assess the strengths, but also needs and challenges of the Airmen assigned to the U.S. Air Force Squadron stationed in Belgium. (U.S. Army photo by Pierre-Etienne Courtejoie)

At Geilenkirchen, in addition to meeting with USAFE Airmen the General and Chief also visited the NATO Airborne Warning and Control System Component, commanded by U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Kristen Thompson. “The partnership between our 52nd Fighter Wing GSUs and the NATO AWACS Component is superb. It exemplifies how Third Air Force,  USAFE, and NATO remain committed to collective defense via reviving our warfighter effectiveness and reestablishing our deterrence,” said Moga. Throughout the visit, numerous Airmen from across both installations were recognized for their outstanding performance and dedication to the mission.

(Visited 9 times, 1 visits today)
« Previous × Next »