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AMC logistics director visits Fairchild

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ryan Lackey
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Brig. Gen. Stacey Hawkins, Air Mobility Command director of logistics, engineering and force protection, traveled to Fairchild Nov. 7, 2016, in order to identify what manner of support the only air refueling wing in the Pacific Northwest is needed to continue its 24/7 mission.

“I’m here because this wing and its mission are a centerpiece in getting the mission accomplished for the Air Force and the nation,” said Hawkins. “I’m hoping to talk and to listen to the Airmen here who see the mission occur every day on the ground.”

Hawkins emphasized the pivotal role Fairchild plays from air refueling to supporting the strategic deterrence mission, and declared his goal was to gather firsthand information from Airmen during his visit. He will use this information at higher headquarters to advocate for granting Fairchild greater resources and to craft improved policies across the Air Force.

“Command has four key focus areas: readiness, growing and developing airmen, modernization and the nuclear mission,” said Hawkins. “In command, we plan out the allocation of our resources carefully and we try to minimize risk by not trading off those things that will cost us combat capability.”

While Hawkins’ visit was aimed at working with base units in need, he also seized the opportunity to spend time visiting younger Airmen. The general gave leadership advice and personally answered their questions and concerns about serving in the military.

“You have great Airmen here, let’s try to keep them. We cannot afford to have any Airmen walk completely away from the military profession,” Hawkins said. “Let’s try to keep everyone because we will need them going forward.”

Hawkins made a point to approach every Airman and officer he came across, emphasizing the importance command-level leaders placed on junior military members.

“Every person I’ve met in my short time here has been bright-eyed and optimistic,” said Hawkins. “I’d like to personally thank everyone here for all that they do.”

Hawkins spoke with NCOs and commanders about developing solutions to keep the mission-critical components of Fairchild’s operation running around the clock.

“Leaders come out and actually get to see Airmen and they say, “I got it, I see it now,” and that stays with them,” said Col. Ryan Samuelson, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander. “Seeing and doing the work alongside Airmen here will stick with them more than any amount of people telling them about it.”