Chief master sergeant of the Air Force visits Grand Forks AFB

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachel Martinez
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (AFNS) --  The Air Force's top enlisted leader visited Airmen here July 14 through July 16.

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy met with Airmen from the 319th Air Refueling Wing and toured base facilities, which allowed him to witness firsthand how Grand Forks Air Force Base is preparing for its transition to a new unmanned aerial systems mission.

The visit began with a mission briefing from Col. Don Shaffer, the 319th ARW commander, and continued with stops at the 905th Air Refueling Squadron, base honor guard, 319th Security Forces Squadron, 319th Medical Group, 319th Communications Squadron and 319th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

"Our Airmen today are absolutely focused on fighting our mission," Chief Roy said. "I want our Airmen to know they are making a difference, a difference in the security of our nation. They are also making a difference in the quality of life for people in other nations as well."

Chief Roy also attended the base's quarterly awards ceremony.

The chief said he believes all Airmen, not just the ones who were recognized, are helping build a better Air Force for the future.

"Sixty-six percent of the total Air Force enlisted after 9/11," Chief Roy said. "This tells us that many, if not most of them, have a sense of patriotism. The fact that they would serve in their nation's military during a time of war, knowing the potential for danger is very high, says something about the character of these individuals. And it is these individuals that continue to shape our Air Force in a positive light."

After a lunch with the first sergeants, Chief Roy held an all-call to meet the rest of the wing and discuss his priorities as the Air Force's top enlisted Airman.

Those priorities include being ready for joint and coalition operations, deliberately developing our Airmen, and building resilient Airmen and families.

Chief Roy said that supporting Airmen and their families who are deployed to overseas contingency operations is very important to him.

"Combat Airman resiliency is kind of new terminology to us, but it's something we really need to focus on," he said.

Chief Roy told the Airmen that our mission in Iraq and Afghanistan is ongoing, and the Air Force's presence will remain strong to help Iraq continue to recover.

"It was a great opportunity for me to visit Grand Forks and meet the many fine Airmen here that are doing a superb mission, which is directly influencing the battle space downrange," Chief Roy said.