ACC commander visits Barksdale

  • Published
  • By 2d Lt. Amy Abbott
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Gen. John D. W. Corley, Air Combat Command commander, paid a visit to Barksdale Air Force Base Jan. 26 and 27.

Senior leadership from Barksdale's 8th Air Force, 2d Bomb Wing and 917th Wing greeted their commanding officer before he set out to tour the base and meet with Airmen.

Gen. Corley's schedule consisted of various mission briefs, visits to base locations such as the 2d Medical Group, military working dog kennels, nuclear and conventional mission demonstrations and meals with the Air Force's most important asset: Airmen.

The four-star general spent lunch with company grade officers and breakfast the following day with a group of enlisted members ranging from senior airmen to master sergeant.

During his CGO lunch, Gen. Corley emphasized his belief that the core of the Air Force is its people. The son, husband and father of Airmen listened to concerns from the various young officers and likened their discussion to having a "chat with your dad."

"A four-star general has such a wide variety of responsibilities that not all concerns can possibly reach them," said Capt. Tiffany Feet, 2d Maintenance Squadron maintenance officer and 20-year Air Force veteran. "Being able to communicate face-to-face to senior leadership gives us (CGOs) an opportunity to tell our story so that they can advocate for the resources we need to get the mission done."

During the discussion, much of the focus was on resources and mission. Gen. Corley said he realized that what Airmen are resourced for and what they are required to do, do not often weigh up, but, he said, what each of the officers there exemplify - commitment, dedication, and a concern to make things better - is why the Air Force works.

What it all comes down to, he said, is "having the courage to correct, having a clue and making the right call."

The following day, Gen. Corley joined Lt. Gen. Robert J. Elder, Jr., 8th AF commander, and Col. Robert E. Wheeler, 2d Bomb Wing commander, to address hundreds of Airmen from base who packed Hoban Hall for an All Hands Call. This meeting, also known as a commander's call, allows senior leadership to speak to the Airmen and civilians across the base.

He began by thanking "each and every one" of the camo-clad and flight suit wearing audience for their commitment and service to our country.

"This (the Air Force) is not a job, this is a passion," said Gen. Corley. "This is about doing something exceptionally important with your life."

He talked to the crowd about service and commitment, encouraging them to be "Air-minded." The general also emphasized that our mission within ACC is not just reassuring our allies we are there for them, but also deterrence -- showing our enemies why we are the world's greatest Air Force.

At the end of the All Hands Call, Gen. Corley reminded everyone that they, the Airmen, are the most critical part of the military. On that lingering thought, the general left, ending his visit to Barksdale and flying home.