Top Air Force Reserve leader visits 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing

Photo By Master Sgt. Lionel Castellano | Master Sgt. Ronald Sion, 332nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons expeditor, gives Lt. Gen. Charles Stenner, chief of Air Force Reserve and Air Force Reserve Command commander, a tour of an F-16 Fighting Falcon, April 11. Gen. Stenner visited Joint Base Balad to meet Reservists, evaluate combat capabilities, and assess training and other Reserve requirements in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as part of a multi-base tour in the area of responsibility. A native of Honolulu, Sgt. Sion is deployed here from Carswell Air Reserve Station, Texas.  

BALAD, IRAQ

04.16.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. John Gordinier 

332d Air Expeditionary Wing

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq — Lt. Gen. Charles Stenner Jr., chief of Air Force Reserve and Air Force Reserve Command commander, visited with Reservists deployed April 11, as part of a multi-base tour in the area of responsibility.

Overall, the purpose of the general's visit was to meet with Reservists, evaluate Reserve combat capabilities, and assess training and other Reserve requirements in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"We have been traveling throughout the area of responsibility, and we've been seeing all the different things going on," Gen. Stenner said. "There is nothing better than seeing what Airmen are doing on a daily basis. I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart."

During a Reserve Airmen's call at Town Hall here, the general talked about what Airmen can expect in the future and touched on the Reserve's priorities.

"The Reserve is part of a three-component Air Force, and we are hard at work," Gen. Stenner said. "It is a joint fight, and Air Force priorities are my priorities."

Then, the AFRC commander took the opportunity to explain them.

"My first priority for the Air Force Reserve is to sustain a strategic Reserve and continue to be an operational force, and we do it by volunteering and by mobilizing," he said.

"Second, we are 'citizen-airmen,' and we must continue to balance and maintain the military job, the civilian job and the family. Each is very important," Gen. Stenner continued. "It is a major challenge balancing a military career, a civilian career and raising a family. It is my job to make sure taskings are predictable for Reserve Airmen -- giving you a precise date when you will deploy and when you will return; and sticking to it.

"Another priority is to modernize the resources we have, such as tankers, installations and infrastructure," he added. "It needs to be recapitalized; it's all part of a strategic Reserve."

While at Joint Base Balad, Gen. Stenner visited the Air Force Theater Hospital, the Joint Defense Operations Center, an F-16 hardened aircraft shelter, and a maintenance phase dock, to name a few.

At every location, his message was clear:

"Thank you all for stepping up and volunteering to be here, deployed thousands of miles away from friends and families, and executing the mission seamlessly," Gen. Stenner said. "I'm very proud of all of you."

• Date Taken: 04.16.2009
• Date Posted: 04.16.2009 09:43
• Story ID: 32455
• Location: BALAD, IQ