FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  "The primary purpose of the United States Air Force is to fight and win America's wars."

With this statement, Gen. Ronald Fogleman (ret.), former Air Force Chief of Staff, summed up an address on the history of the Air Mobility Command and the Air Force during his meeting with more than 400 Airmen here July 24. Upon acceptance of a personalized invitation from 92nd Air Refueling Wing leadership, the general visited the base as a guest speaker for Fairchild's 60th Anniversary Speakers Symposium, part of a series of events commemorating the Air Force anniversary.

With 34 years of active-duty experience, including time spent in South Vietnam, West Germany and Thailand, as well as a master's degree in military history, the general left Airmen with a deeper historical understanding and appreciation of strategic deterrence, the emergence of aviation and air power, warfare abilities throughout the ages, and AMC's formulation and progress. The general didn't stop with historical lessons and anecdotes, though; the mission and future of mobility are "at the forefront" of Air Force success as we "find ourselves so deeply embedded in missions around the world," he said.

"Air Mobility Command has requirements for modernization like we've never have in the past," General Fogleman said, adding that air mobility is the "number-one, single enabling force" to carrying out the Air Force's strategic mission. "What you do is important. The way you've done it is magnificent," he said.

The retired general also noted today's Airmen's ability to persevere through a changing military environment with its growing responsibilities, praising their willingness to surrender to a common good.

"Unlike a lot of society, our Airmen are not focused on 'me' or 'I'; they're focused on 'we' and 'us,'" said General Fogleman. "This is a selflessness that is not seen in most of society."

In addition to the symposium, the general spent time talking to wing leadership about the dynamics of command, while his wife, Miss Jane, met Fairchild's Phoenix Spouses and toured the Airman and Family Readiness Center. That evening, General and Mrs. Fogleman spent time with members and supporters of the Airlift Tanker Association and Daedalian organizations. General Fogleman is the national chairman for the A/TA and a former flight captain for the Daedalians.

"He spoke to both organizations and members of the community about the historical significance Fairchild and Spokane have played in the past 60 years, and the important roles the A/TA and Daedalians have played in the development of arms," said Lt. Col. Michael Gaal, Operations Support Squadron commander and president of the A/TA's Inland Northwest Chapter.