As Jodie and I prepare to depart Germany and the 86th Airlift Wing family, we would like to express our deepest appreciation to Team Ramstein, the Kaiserslautern Military Community and our host nation partners and give our heartfelt thanks to the Airmen of the Biggest, Baddest and Best wing in U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa! We are privileged to have served with each of you in the cause of freedom.
Our Air Force is amazing! Our technology is awesome, and our ability to deliver combat power is unmatched; but our strength, our asymmetric advantage, is the incredibly talented Airmen — officer, enlisted, civilian and local national — who serve in a time of war. You have answered every challenge. You have exceeded every expectation. Your innovation, capability and commitment to service rank you among the greatest generations to stand in defense of our great republic and the values we share with our NATO allies.
It has been a great honor to serve with the warriors of the 86th AW. You provided combat airlift and operated the Air Force’s premier installation, enabling and assuring strategic capabilities for the United States and our NATO alliance. Despite a tremendous tempo, you delivered sustained war-fighting readiness, developed professional Airmen, provided exceptional quality of life for the KMC and embraced continuous improvement — all with a touch of class!
The KMC supports the largest concentration of Americans outside the United States. Our community has never been stronger thanks to the joint partnership with the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, led by Maj. Gen. Aundre Piggee, and U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern, led by Lt. Col. Lars Zetterstrom. Joint begins with relationships, and it was a pleasure to serve with you and our Army partners.
Partnerships require teamwork. Thank you to the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing, the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing and the hundreds of installation partners for your commitment to mission and war-fighting excellence. Brig. Gen. (select) John Shapland and Col. Randall Reed, thank you for the leadership, high standards, and love for our Airmen and their families.
We have enjoyed more than 60 years with our German partners and hosts. I am optimistic about the future and believe the U.S Air Force will celebrate another 60 years in Rheinland-Pfalz. I have this confidence because of our shared values and commitment to stand for right in a dangerous world. I am confident because the diversity and cultural richness we experience as neighbors make us better human beings.
Finally, I am confident because of the warmth, hospitality and generosity of the people of Rheinland-Pfalz.
To each of our community leaders, thank you for hosting the U.S. Air Force, our Airmen and the thousands of families who call you, friends and neighbors, and your villages, home. Our family has been blessed by your friendship and hospitality.
It has been an honor to serve as part of the 86th AW and with our partners in the KMC and Rheinland-Pfalz. May God bless you and keep you until we meet again.
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As Jodie and I prepare to depart Germany and the 86th Airlift Wing family, we would like to express our deepest appreciation to Team Ramstein, the Kaiserslautern Military Community and our host nation partners and give our heartfelt thanks to the Airmen of the Biggest, Baddest and Best wing in U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa! We are privileged to have served with each of you in the cause of freedom.
Our Air Force is amazing! Our technology is awesome, and our ability to deliver combat power is unmatched; but our strength, our asymmetric advantage, is the incredibly talented Airmen — officer, enlisted, civilian and local national — who serve in a time of war. You have answered every challenge. You have exceeded every expectation. Your innovation, capability and commitment to service rank you among the greatest generations to stand in defense of our great republic and the values we share with our NATO allies.
It has been a great honor to serve with the warriors of the 86th AW. You provided combat airlift and operated the Air Force’s premier installation, enabling and assuring strategic capabilities for the United States and our NATO alliance. Despite a tremendous tempo, you delivered sustained war-fighting readiness, developed professional Airmen, provided exceptional quality of life for the KMC and embraced continuous improvement — all with a touch of class!
The KMC supports the largest concentration of Americans outside the United States. Our community has never been stronger thanks to the joint partnership with the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, led by Maj. Gen. Aundre Piggee, and U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern, led by Lt. Col. Lars Zetterstrom. Joint begins with relationships, and it was a pleasure to serve with you and our Army partners.
Partnerships require teamwork. Thank you to the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing, the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing and the hundreds of installation partners for your commitment to mission and war-fighting excellence. Brig. Gen. (select) John Shapland and Col. Randall Reed, thank you for the leadership, high standards, and love for our Airmen and their families.
We have enjoyed more than 60 years with our German partners and hosts. I am optimistic about the future and believe the U.S Air Force will celebrate another 60 years in Rheinland-Pfalz. I have this confidence because of our shared values and commitment to stand for right in a dangerous world. I am confident because the diversity and cultural richness we experience as neighbors make us better human beings.
Finally, I am confident because of the warmth, hospitality and generosity of the people of Rheinland-Pfalz.
To each of our community leaders, thank you for hosting the U.S. Air Force, our Airmen and the thousands of families who call you, friends and neighbors, and your villages, home. Our family has been blessed by your friendship and hospitality.
It has been an honor to serve as part of the 86th AW and with our partners in the KMC and Rheinland-Pfalz. May God bless you and keep you until we meet again.