CSAF visits Barksdale

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alyssa C. Miles
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Base leadership welcomed Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, and his wife, Suzie, to Barksdale Nov. 25. 

During his visit, General Schwartz was briefed about the Eighth Air Force, met with Barksdale community leaders and visited several squadrons to familiarize himself with the Airmen and the base. 

Capping the day was an Airmen's Call at Hoban Hall and lauded Barksdale's recent no-notice Nuclear Surety Inspection. 

"For a wing like this to excel it takes everyone -- every job counts," he said. "We're demonstrating that we can do what we say we can do." 

The general also took the time to recognize NSI superior performers: Maj. Aaron Cowley, 2d Munitions Squadron commander; Maj. Sandra Volden, 2d Medical Operations Squadron; 2d Munitions Squadron, Staff Sgt. Margarita Taber; 2d Munitions Squadron and Staff Sgt. Lenae Timmons, 2d Bomb Wing Staff. 

The general acknowledged they were representative of the Barksdale team and what they accomplished, and that Barksdale was "keeping the promise" of service by executing the mission so well. 

He also said the Barksdale Team was keeping the promise by taking care of their own, as they did during - and after - the tragedy of Raider 21. 

General Schwartz concluded the call by answering questions from the Airmen. 

Capt. Tiffany Feet, 2d Maintenance Squadron, received a direct response after broaching the subject of regaining a balance between resources and commitments. The general assured her that rebalancing was going to occur and specifically that maintenance would be one of the career fields on the receiving end of some relief. 

"To hear there are more maintainers coming back to the force was great, but he acknowledged that it was still not enough and that we would still have to make choices," she said. 

The general also fielded questions on fleet modernization, joint basing, and the PT test. The questions were reflective of what is on the minds of Airmen. 

"Our Air Force is facing many challenges and I don't think anyone expects them all to be fixed overnight, but we need to hear what our leadership is doing to move us forward," said Capt. Feet. 

Before his departure, General Schwartz had words of wisdom for Barksdale Airmen.
"In this business, there's only one way to do things right and it's the Air Force way," he said. 

(Airman Allison M. Boehm contributed to this story.)