VCSAF, spouse take in Ramstein mission sets

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Clay Lancaster
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFNS) --  The Air Force's vice chief of staff and his spouse visited Ramstein Air Base on April 18 to meet with Airmen and familiarize themselves with the mission sets of Ramstein’s three different wings.

The base is one of several installations Gen. David L. Goldfein and his wife, Dawn, plan to visit throughout U.S. Air Forces in Europe. The couple had the opportunity to hear from Airmen in the 86th Airlift Wing and also those in the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing and 435th Air Ground Operations Wing.

"The Airmen here at Ramstein, and the missions they're all performing, are truly phenomenal and it shows in the few examples I've experienced while visiting," Goldfein said. "Although I'm familiar with the area having graduated from high school here, I'm less familiar with recent accomplishments and it's been great hearing about the amazing work of the Airmen here in USAFE."

During his visit, Goldfein toured the Deployment Transition Center, received a briefing on the base’s support roles in the ordered departure of dependents from Turkey, and saw innovations that the installation has made in the past year.

Dawn was introduced to several of the base’s key spouses, many of whom were instrumental in the success of the reception efforts when families from Turkey started arriving. She was interested in finding out how those families, especially children, were adjusting to their new home.

"It truly speaks to the resilience of military spouses," said Carri May Waite, a 435th Construction Training Squadron key spouse. "The children bounce back because the parents are setting such a great example."

She continued to tell Dawn about all the other activities and events made available to the children through youth sports and other force support initiatives.

"It is a testament to just how much our military spouses and families serve, as well," Dawn said.

She also heard firsthand accounts from three displaced spouses whose children are completing the school year at Ramstein AB, and visited the Vogelweh Child Development Center, Vogelweh School Age Program and Vogelweh Elementary School library.

"The efforts made by the installation during the families' departure from Turkey are just one example of how the Airmen in USAFE are caring for people and leading the Air Force and its mission," the general said.