CMSAF visits 380th AEW, touts importance of Airmen's mission

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jeremy Larlee
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Roy visited the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing June 26 through 28 as part of his tour of bases in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

The Chief said it was important that he got to see the mission of the 380th AEW.

"I came here to view the mission and see how the Airmen are performing that mission," he said. "We have to make sure we are adequately training Airmen for the mission here and are also making sure they are properly equipped."

Chief Roy participated in the dedication of the 380th AEW Explosive Ordnance Disposal building in honor of Tech. Sgt. Anthony Campbell June 27. Sergeant Campbell died in Afghanistan Dec. 15, 2009. 

In his speech at the event, Chief Roy said he has long admired the bravery of EOD technicians and that people like Sergeant Campbell are true professionals.

"He was a public servant that truly placed service before self," Chief Roy said. "His legacy and the profession of EOD continue on for us to reflect on."

The chief spent the rest of the day meeting Airmen and getting a look at the 380th AEW's mission. During his trip he also toured the KC-10 Extender, RQ-4 Global Hawk, civil engineer projects and a trip in a chase car behind a U-2 Dragon Lady.

Chief Roy said he came away impressed by how keyed in to the mission Airmen here are.

"There is a varied mission set here and every Airman I spoke to knew exactly what the mission is and how the things they do affect the battlespace," he said. "The Airmen here are providing the warfighter a sense of what the battlefield looks like before they go out there and (are) providing the necessary resources for the aircraft that fly into combat every day."

The chief spoke about the physical training program here as well.

He said being deployed doesn't mean you should stop working out.

Every deployed location has workout facilities because a lack of physical conditioning can be detrimental to the mission, he said.

"In your deployed location, you have to keep a good workout pace," Chief Roy said. "You're working in climates of 100-plus degrees with very high humidity; if you are not in shape, you won't last long."

Chief Roy said the way in which everybody works together is a definite strength of the 380th AEW Airmen.

"Something I saw as soon as I walked off the plane here is the great teamwork," he said. "Our mission partners enjoy working with our Airmen here, and the Airmen at the 380th (AEW) are absolutely in the fight."