USAFE vice gets familiar with Spangdahlem mission

Published Dec. 17, 2012
By Senior Airman Natasha Stannard
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The U.S. Air Forces in Europe vice commander visited Spangdahlem as part of a familiarization tour Dec. 13, 2012.

The tour gave Lt. Gen. Tom Jones a chance to see how Spangdahlem operates and how Sabers fuel the USAFE and Air Force Africa mission.

During his visit, Jones met with 52nd Fighter Wing leadership, Airmen from squadrons across the base and community leaders. He also visited several base facilities, viewed upcoming quality-of-life projects and experienced the wing's daily operations.

Airmen who met with Jones shared experiences and unique challenges faced in their career fields. They also showed him the equipment they work with and even how to operate some of it.

"It's rewarding to be able to talk to you about what is going on at your level," Jones said after speaking with Airmen about their jobs. "The challenges you have day in and day out to do the missions that you do ... are extraordinary. I admire your ability to handle the things that you have done. It's amazing to see your accomplishments here. Now I know and appreciate better what you're doing."

He also emphasized to the Airmen the important role their family members play and said to thank them for supporting the mission.

"Your spouses, parents, brothers, sisters and other loved ones make you who you are and allow you to do the kinds of things that you're doing," he said.

Some Airmen were impressed that the vice commander came to speak with them and learn about their specific roles.

"He displayed a high level of knowledge of our career field and a very personal interest in our well-being," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Ryan McClary, 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight.

"It's great that he came here to get familiar with our mission and see what we actually do to support the USAFE-AFAFRICA mission," added Capt. Will Van Loom, 480th Fighter Squadron pilot.

The mayor of Spangdahlem, Klaus Rodens, also met with Jones and shared with him his appreciation for the relationship the base has with the local community. Klaus said he is very happy with the continual support the local community receives from the base and hopes the relationship between the two continues to grow.

"The relationship Spangdahlem has with the community here is unique ... It's great to see how close and involved they are," Jones said.

At Jones' last stop of the tour, he met U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Floyd Hopson, 52nd Force Support Squadron flight kitchen cook at the 726th Air Mobility Squadron. Hopson shared with the vice commander what he does to build himself into a well-developed Airman, such as participating in private military organizations and base honor guard.

"It's all the other jobs you listed that you're doing that are beyond your duty - that's what we really are about as an Air Force," Jones said to Hopson. "The fact that you care enough and want to improve yourself and others around you speaks volumes about who you are and who we are as an Air Force."

Jones expressed a similar sentiment to Airmen he ate lunch with earlier that day as he urged them to continue progressing and to encourage others to do so as well.

"There's not one model to follow for leaders," he said, "but we should all have the same core beliefs of why our environment is important. It defines who we are as Americans. Our diversity and differences are what make us strong - and our acceptance of those differences makes us even stronger. We are the world's best Air Force because of who you are and what you do."