Moseley: Airmen engaged worldwide

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mitch Gettle
  • Air Force Print News
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  Since August 1990, when the first wing deployed for Operation Desert Shield, the Air Force has been engaged in solid combat, the Air Force chief of staff said.

Gen. T. Michael Moseley took time recently to discuss Air Force issues and Airmen performing the mission.

For 15 years, Airmen have been engaged in conflict and executing the Air Force mission. As a result, they’ve gained a wealth of knowledge.

During this time, the Air Force increased its combat experience level and searched for opportunities to increase joint operations with sister services in an effort to move toward interdependence, "which (is where) I believe we are now," General Moseley said.

On any given day Airmen provide air and space dominance to the combatant commander, with a wide array of events such as: combat rescue, strategic attack, ballistic missile suppression, interdiction, special operations, unconventional warfare support, close-air support, inter and intra-theater lift, command and control, air refueling, medical air evacuation, theaterwide time-sensitive targeting, joint critical targeting and dynamic targeting, General Moseley said.

"That's what an Airman does for a combined force commander, and that's what your Air Force is out there doing every day," he said. "They're the (best) trained; they're the most flexible and adaptable, the most educated, the most professional that any Air Force at any time's ever had."

Airmen are currently deployed or assigned to all parts of the world. Today, the Air Force has more than 20,000 Airmen in the Middle East, 35,000 in Europe and 45,000 in the Pacific region, General Moseley said.

"I'm particularly proud to be a part of (the Air Force) … we have the best people in the world," he said.