National Guard chief visits troops in war zone

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith
  • National Guard Bureau
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq (AFPN) --  The National Guard's first four-star general visited citizen-Soldiers and -Airmen serving throughout Southwest Asia in dozens of formal briefings, town hall meetings and tours at the end of February and early March.

General Craig R. McKinley, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, visited the Guard members in the area of operations to "gauge their thoughts" about the missions they are performing.

"I feel it's important to visit the Soldiers and Airmen of the National Guard in theater," General McKinley said. "To see how they are doing, talk to their commanders, and visit as many of their organizations as I can to see what the conditions are and to answer any questions they may have of me." 

General McKinley has been the chief for just more than 100 days, and his recent appointment comes at a time when more than 2,400 Guard forces are serving in operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. 

At each stop, he expressed his appreciation for the troops. 

"Look at the places and the people that you affect," he told Guard members Feb. 28 at Sather Air Base, Iraq. "I can't tell you how grateful I am for what you are doing for the Guard, your nation and this country." 

He offered similar sentiments at an air base in Southwest Asia, at Joint Base Balad, and at Camp Phoenix and Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, among other locations. 

Maj. Gen. Emmett Titshaw Jr., assistant to the Air Force chief of staff, and the Guard Bureau's Command Sgt. Maj. David Hudson accompanied him. 

In Iraq, General McKinley was briefed by Air Guard members of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Joint Base Balad. The unit helps operate a joint forces control center that manages the airspace of Iraq and coordinates air support for multinational forces.

From the base's control tower, he got a panoramic view of the mission outside Baghdad. He also toured the 332nd Joint Theater Hospital, the largest medical and critical care facility in that country, manned by active-duty, Guard and Reserve servicemembers. 

General McKinley also visited Minnesota Army Guard Soldiers of Task Force 34, 834th Air Support Battalion and met with Washington Guard Soldiers of the 161st Infantry Regiment at a motor pool. 

General McKinley and Sergeant Major Hudson asked the Guard members what was on their minds. Future operations, living conditions, deployment lengths, health and veteran care, equipment, mobilization training and other issues were the answers from the troops. 

Economic conditions affecting employers and families back home were also among troop concerns. 

"We will get through this," General McKinley assured them, but he said that future and recent challenges will test the Guard like never before. 

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