Photo By Ryan Labadens | Maj. Gen. Stayce D. Harris, 22nd Air Force commander, returns the salute from Master...... read more read more
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KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Maj. Gen. Stayce D. Harris, 22nd Air Force commander, paid a visit to members of the 403rd Wing here May 1-4.
This was one stop the general makes during the year to 16 different units under command of the 22nd Air Force. The purpose of her tour was to visit the wing to get to know the Airmen and gain a better understanding of the organization and the mission, which in the 403rd Wing's case is to provide tactical airlift, weather reconnaissance and agile combat support.
During her stay, the general visited several units within the 403rd Wing, including the wing's two flying squadrons, the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron "Hurricane Hunters" and the 815th Airlift Squadron "Flying Jennies," where she toured a static display of one of the squadron's C-130J aircraft. She also visited with Citizen Airmen at the 403rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron, 403rd Maintenance Group 41st Aerial Port Squadron, 403rd Force Support Squadron and 403rd Civil Engineer Squadron.
Harris mentioned that during these visits she wants to hear about the successes Airmen in these units experience as well as the challenges they face. At a 403rd Wing civilian commander's call held here May 4, the general highlighted topics relevant to today's Air Force and opened the floor to questions regarding any challenges reservists may face, such as pay and deployment issues.
"The challenges are the most important though, because we, at 22nd Air Force, are here to serve the Airmen and find out what they need to be successful in accomplishing the mission," said Harris. "So whatever those challenges are, we need to hear them."
With these challenges in mind, the general said there is one main assurance she desires to leave Airmen with at every unit she visits.
"I hope to impart, number one, that they know senior leadership cares about every single one of our Airmen - and when I talk about Airmen, I'm including our civilian workforce also - and that we are honestly here to serve them," said Harris.
Colonel Frank Amodeo, 403rd Wing commander, said visits from senior officers serve two roles: it provides firsthand opportunities for these commanders to assess the direct-reporting organizations and Airmen under their command, and it gives Airmen an occasion to meet with senior leadership and offer honest feedback.
"Any time a senior leader has the chance to meet with our Airmen, and they have an opportunity to interact with that senior leader, that's a big deal. It's motivational for (the Airmen), and it reaffirms that what we're telling them at our level is indeed the message coming down from the numbered Air Force and major command," said Amodeo.
This was the case for Senior Airman Kelly Andino, an intelligence analyst with the 403rd Operational Support Squadron/Intelligence, who assisted in escorting the general during her visit to Keesler AFB and was able to interact with her during the unit training assembly. She expressed her appreciation for the general's visit.
"I have the utmost respect and admiration for General Harris. I got the rare opportunity to observe and participate in somewhat of a 'behind the scenes' capacity during her visit. It was very evident that General Harris spends every minute of her day ensuring our overall well-being and the success of our mission, even after the boots come off at the end of the day," said Andino.
The general's visit overlapped with the wing's May UTA, which allowed her to partake in its annual Airman and Family Day event May 2. She noted the importance of the wing holding these and other types of camaraderie-building activities throughout the year.
"It draws (Airmen and family members) in, and they realize that when they say it's a family, when they say it's a community, they really mean it. This is why they choose to take that time out of their lives to come serve, because it's a community that they enjoy being around," said Harris.
She also noted how events provide Airmen a venue for getting to know people from different fields and seeking out new career paths within the Air Force Reserve.
"There's a wonderfully unique opportunity in the Reserve for people to learn and expand, and either grow where they're planted or seek out new opportunities. And, I encourage people to do that through getting to know each other," said Harris.
The general also praised the cooperation she observed at Keesler Air Force Base between the active-component units and the 403rd Reserve component.
"I do absolutely enjoy the total force partnership that (the 403rd Wing has) with 2nd Air Force and the 81st Training Wing. It's evident in everything you do," said Harris.
| Date Taken: | 05.05.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 12.30.2016 11:06 |
| Story ID: | 219050 |
| Location: | KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISSISSIPPI, US |
| Web Views: | 49 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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