ACC commander greets deployed Airmen

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Kidron B. Vestal
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  "I am here to tell you that I work for you," said Gen. William M. Fraser III, commander of Air Combat Command, during his visit to deployed Airmen at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Nov. 23 and 24, 2009.

After a day of touring base operations, maintenance and support functions, General Fraser addressed his "boots on the ground" in an evening Airman's call and assured them that their priorities were his as well.

"The sooner we get our job done, then the sooner you get to come home to your family and loved ones who are making just as many sacrifices...in order for you to be here, staying focused on today's fight," General Fraser said.

Looking forward with criticality is important but difficult given the unknowns, the general said. In describing the past, "We have not done well in predicting the future."

In support of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz's "Year of the Air Force Family" pledge, General Fraser pointed that it is "more than just a slogan, it is actually programs... to make sure that we are doing everything we can to take care of you and to take care of your families."

With deployment tempos high, General Fraser lauded Air National Guard and Reserve members who choose to fulfill some of the expeditionary requirements for the active-duty forces.

"For every volunteer that we have on the Guard and Reserve side, that's an active duty member who doesn't have to then forward-deploy," he said. "That's huge, and has given us some relief in certain areas."

General Fraser has traveled to numerous installations, at home and abroad, since taking command, highlighting different matters of importance to Air Force members.

The topic of nuclear surety was discussed at the Airman's call when a question was raised regarding feedback from the recent Air Force Corona Conference, an annual vision-mapping session for Air Force four-star generals. At the conference six hours alone were dedicated to the nuclear mission, the general said. The conference, scheduled to last one and one-half days, was extended due to the emphasis placed on the matter.

Progressive plans for unmanned aircraft are also on the table, though changes for the RQ-4 Global Hawk are not ready for implementation.

Speaking locally, the manned U-2 Dragonlady is estimated to stay in the fight a little while longer. General Fraser said the program has been fiscally-secured for a few additional years.

"We're not going to let go until we've got the full grip on the other side of that capability and that transition plan," he said.

Also present for the visit were Brig. Gen. David Goldfein, ACC director of air and space operations; Lt. Gen. Mike Hostage, commander of U.S. Air Forces Central Command; Chief Master Sgt. Martin Klukas, ACC command chief; and Chief Master Sgt. Scott Dearduff, AFCENT command chief.