Photo By Staff Sgt. Eunique Stevens | Lt. Gen. Gary North, 9th Air Force and U.S. Air Force's Central commander, and Col....... read more read more
KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq -- Airmen met and spoke with 9th Air Force and U.S. Air Force's Central leaders during a visit, May 17.
Lt. Gen. Gary North, AFCENT commander, and Command Chief Master Sgt. Scott Dearduff, spoke at multiple venues during their more-than four-hour visit, their second to the base this year.
At the largest gathering, a commander's call, more than 200 Airmen listened to their leaders touch base on several topics ranging from how the drawdown of forces in Iraq affects future deployments, to the development of new cotton Airman Battle Uniforms and physical fitness gear.
A sea of raised hands answered one of the general's first questions: How many Airmen have deployed at least three times since 9/11? Three deployments is the national average for military members in that time frame, he said.
General North spoke of what he believed to be the mission set for Airmen in the future and explained how this may impact their next deployment rotations. He said Airmen will continue to play a role in Iraq if the Iraqis ask them to stay for specific missions beyond December 2011, when the current security agreement requires the withdrawal of American military forces.
"You and others behind you may have the opportunity to serve again here in Iraq ... ," if the Iraqis request our continued assistance, he said. He later added that there is likely a senior airman in the room who will be working with Iraqis here 18 years down the road as a chief master sergeant.
The general and Chief Dearduff also talked about proposed changes to the Air Force physical fitness requirements and uniform improvements before answering questions.
Master Sgt. Ronald Dockswell, 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, asked General North about adjusting uniform regulations to allow the wear of the Air Force combat shirt at Kirkuk RAB, so Airmen could be better suited to work in hot weather.
The Roseville, Calif., native deployed from Travis AFB, Calif., said the security force's Airmen working day shifts in extremely hot temperatures while wearing up to 45 pounds of protective gear and ammunitions would appreciate knowing the general's stance on the issue.
Notably, the general said he was the first "Defender" to stand up and have the guts to ask that question on behalf of the junior enlisted Airmen. He agreed to take his suggestion back with him and Chief Dearduff and review it.
The sergeant said he appreciated the fact General North took his e-mail address to provide him with feedback, and that he has faith the general will take the issue into consideration.
General North told all Airmen he expects and demands they look at problems in the workplace and in training, such as Sgt. Dockswell's concern. He then challenged them to figure out how to do it more efficiently, and to vet problems and proposed solutions through their senior leaders.
Before departing Kirkuk RAB, General North and Chief Dearduff ate lunch with Airmen and awarded top performers the general's coin to express appreciation for outstanding performance.
| Date Taken: | 05.18.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 05.25.2009 04:27 |
| Story ID: | 34049 |
| Location: | KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, IQ |
| Web Views: | 257 |
| Downloads: | 127 |
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