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Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, Chief Master Sgt. David Williamson, USAFE command chief, and their spouses visited the Airmen of the 86th Airlift Wing June 15 to see firsthand the different capabilities the unit brings to the fight.
“You do phenomenal work,” General Welsh said to the Airmen during an all-call. “In many ways, Ramstein is the backbone of what we do in USAFE. Each of you is critically important.”
The visit gave General Welsh and Chief Williamson the opportunity to hear how the Airmen of the 86th AW work to support contingency operations and build strong bonds in Europe and around the world.
Though the group is familiar with the base due to their residence here, the day marked the first official visit since the general assumed command on Dec. 13, 2010.
“It’s a pleasure to live on this base,” the general said. “You guys are great. Thanks for taking care of our Airmen and their families.”
As part of the day’s events, General Welsh and Chief Williamson were immersed in many missions of the 86th AW, including showcasing the satellite communications capabilities, the vital wounded warrior mission at the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility, and the critical deployment throughput that occurs at the newly completed Joint Mobility Processing Center.
“It was amazing to see General Welsh up close,” said Senior Airman Matthew Lancaster, 86th Medical Support Squadron medical maintainer, one of 14 Airmen selected to have lunch with General Welsh and Chief Williamson. “It was an honor to openly discuss our concerns and have our questions answered first hand.”
Meanwhile, Betty Welsh, General Welsh’s wife; Debbie Mueller, wife of Lt. Gen. Stephen P. Mueller, USAFE vice commander; and Mary Williamson, Chief Williamson’s wife; visited with other wing members to showcase new programs geared at taking care of Airmen and their families. From the Airman and Family Readiness Center’s newest cultural immersion tours to the new gym at the Ramstein Intermediate School, the spouses got a feel for how hard the wing works to enhance quality of life for the entire KMC.
The immersion came to an end with an all-call where General Welsh and Chief Williamson not only thanked wing personnel for their every day service, but also offered some perspective on their expectations, their personal principles and experiences throughout their career.
General Welsh spoke about pride — the pride he has in his grandfather, in his father, in himself and his son. He challenged Airmen to take pride in everything they do.
“If you’re not proud of who you are and what you represent, you don’t count for much in this business,” General Welsh said. “People plus pride equals performance.”
He continued to tell a story of a staff sergeant from Kunsan Air Base, Korea. The staff sergeant needed to get an assignment to the states, and he needed it quickly. He was fighting for custody of his daughter and needed to be in court in two days.
“Why didn’t I know earlier that he had a daughter?” the general asked the audience. “Because I never asked him. Every Airman has a story. If you don’t know the stories, you can’t lead the Airmen.”
Chief Williamson talked to Airmen on accountability and standards, and he expressed his excitement to work alongside a new group of Airmen.
“Accountability starts with each and every one of us,” Chief Williamson said. “Hold yourself, your peers and your superiors accountable.”
The chief expressed his appreciation and approval of the Airmen in the 86th AW.
“As we visited the 86th AW, we were very impressed. You are a very diverse wing,” Chief Williamson said. “The dedication and pride that I have seen is absolutely something special. Thank you for being my wingman.”
General Welsh closed the all-call with a message to the 86th AW.
“You’re ensuring freedom’s future, and you’re doing it every day,” General Welsh said. “It’s good to wear the uniform with you.”
