SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Honorable Alex Wagner, and SAF/MR command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Steve Cenov met with the service members and civilians of Saber Nation on Sept. 14, 2023.
The people-oriented and mission-focused visit allowed different units to showcase their unique responsibilities, which provided Wagner and his team insights into the quality of life for Airmen, Guardians and their families at Spangdahlem Air Base.
“I was excited to visit Spangdahlem as my first overseas installation visit and learn more about the unique opportunities and challenges facing Airmen and their dependents stationed abroad” said Wagner. “It’s important that I hear directly from them to understand what’s working and where we can make improvements. Most importantly, I wanted them to hear directly just how committed the DAF is to providing them with the resources and support they need to stay focused their critical mission.”
Wagner and Cenov were briefed on Saber University, had lunch with junior enlisted Airmen, visited the Pitsenbarger Airman Leadership School students, coined star performers from different units and attended a counter small unmanned aircraft system demonstration.
“Visits like this are important for Airmen because it gives them an opportunity to speak directly with the people who are a part of the decision-making process,” said Tech Sgt. Cassondra Helmuth, acting commandant for Pitsenbarger Airman Leadership School. “It also allows them a first-hand opportunity to hear the ‘why’ directly from leadership, instead of having information filtered down to them.”
Helmuth gave Wagner and Cenov a tour of the heritage hall, which included information and artifacts from Operation Desert Storm, the Berlin Wall, the Korean War, and other historical events.
Being appointed by U.S. President Joseph Biden, Wagner has significant prior experience in national security, law, and the private industry.
Wagner was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on June 7, 2022, and was sworn in as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force on June 10, 2022. As the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, he provides all supervision for matters related to manpower, military and civilian personnel, Reserve component affairs and readiness support for nearly 700,000 Airmen and Guardians in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.