USecAF visits Barksdale AFB

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jonathan E. Ramos
  • 2nd Bomb Wing
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFNS) --  
Under Secretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz Jones visited Barksdale Air Force Base to meet with 2nd Bomb Wing, 8th Air Force and Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen and leaders.

During her visit, Jones was briefed by wing and major command leadership on a variety of topics including 2nd BW and AFGSC’s mission, vision and line of effort, including the bomber culture experienced daily at Barksdale AFB.

“This visit was a great opportunity for our Barksdale Airmen and Guardians to show off their skills and dialogue at the highest level of Air Force leadership,” said Col. Scott Weyermuller, 2nd BW commander. “Knowing we cannot operate alone and learning what is important to our senior leaders is vital to maintaining the lethality expected from the 2nd BW.”
Leaders from Air Force Global Strike Command and 2nd Bomb Wing greet the Honorable Gina Ortiz Jones, Under Secretary of the Air Force, during her arrival to Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, April 12, 2022. Jones visited Barksdale to attend the Women's Leadership Symposium and to see Barksdale’s Striker Nation culture and mission firsthand. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonathan E. Ramos)

Under Secretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz Jones greets leaders from Air Force Global Strike Command and 2nd Bomb Wing during her arrival to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 12, 2022. Jones visited Barksdale AFB to attend the Women's Leadership Symposium and to see the “Striker Nation” culture and mission firsthand. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonathan E. Ramos)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
The Honorable Gina Ortiz Jones, Under Secretary of the Air Force, receives a brief by Tech. Sgt. Uriel Vargas from the 707th Maintenance Squadron at the Tech Sgt. Joshua Kidd’s Weapons Load Training Facility during a visit to Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, April 12, 2022. Tech Sgt. Joshua Kidd’s Weapons Load Training Facility was named after Tech. Kidd, a 2nd Maintenance Group, loading standardization crew chief who was shot and killed outside of his house in Bossier City, Louisiana. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonathan E. Ramos)

Under Secretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz Jones receives a brief from Tech. Sgt. Uriel Vargas, 707th Maintenance Squadron, about a B-52H Stratofortress at the Tech Sgt. Joshua Kidd’s Weapons Load Training Facility during a visit to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 12, 2022. The tour offered an in-person view and better understanding of how the aircraft provides strategic deterrence, global strike and combat support around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonathan E. Ramos)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
The Honorable Gina Ortiz Jones, Under Secretary of the Air Force, converses with Airman 1st Class Sigrith Johnson, 2nd Force Support Squadron food service apprentice, during a visit to Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, April 12, 2022. Jones coined Airmen from the 2nd Bomb Wing acknowledging their superior performance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonathan E. Ramos)

Airman 1st Class Sigrith Johnson, 2nd Force Support Squadron food service apprentice, speaks with Under Secretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz Jones during her visit to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 12, 2022. Jones presented awards to Barksdale AFB Airmen and Guardians the 2nd Bomb Wing acknowledging their superior performance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonathan E. Ramos)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

As part of her visit, Jones was featured as a guest speaker in the Women's Leadership Symposium. The symposium’s mission is to promote a community of inclusion across AFGSC and enable personnel at the installation to lead as their authentic selves.

“This is about making sure that we’ve got the best folks in the right positions and ensuring that everyone has got the opportunity to serve to their full potential,” Jones said. “When we think about what our courage can lead to, it can lead to ensuring we are opening ourselves up to an even broader pool of talent.”

Jones toured a B-52H Stratofortress at the Tech. Sgt. Kidd Weapons Loading Training Facility to gain a deeper understanding of what capabilities the long-range bomber has and the impact it has on our nation’s global deterrence mission.
The Honorable Gina Ortiz Jones, Under Secretary of the Air Force, receives a B-52H Stratofortress tour by Capt. Kason Pifer, 96th Bomb Squadron B-52H Stratofortress pilot, about the B-52H Stratofortress NC3 capabilities during a visit to Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, April 12, 2022. The NC3 is made of a multitude of ground, air and space components such as receivers and terminals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonathan E. Ramos)

Under Secretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz Jones waves from the cockpit of B-52H Stratofortress while receiving a tour of the aircraft and its command, control and communications capabilities (NC3) from Capt. Kason Pifer, 96th Bomb Squadron B-52H Stratofortress pilot, during a visit to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., April 12, 2022. The NC3 is made of a multitude of ground, air and space components such as receivers and terminals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonathan E. Ramos)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

“It’s been amazing to see what happens here at Barksdale, from its history to the B-52 itself,” Jones said. “Barksdale is so tied into current and future operations of the Air Force that I’ll be looking forward to seeing what continues to happen here.”

Visits like these provide a deeper understanding of how Barksdale AFB’s Airmen and Guardians are always ready to support each other to accomplish mission operations both on the ground and in the air. These visits also demonstrate to Air Force leadership the dedication and commitment Barksdale AFB Airmen apply to getting the mission done anywhere, anytime!