52nd FW leadership tours 704th MUNSS

U.S. Air Force Col. David Julazadeh, commander of 52nd Fighter Wing, center, speaks to Italian and American Airmen after the completion of a joint training exercise at Ghedi Air Base, Italy, Jan. 31, 2014. The Italian and American Air Forces share a bilateral agreement as part of the NATO alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Staff Sgt. Joe W. McFadden / Released)

52nd FW leadership tours 704th MUNSS

A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to 704th Munitions Support Squadron and an Italian Air Force Airman assigned to 6th STORMO survey a building before entering during a joint training exercise at Ghedi Air Base, Italy, Jan. 31, 2014. Both air forces conducted the training to better suit each air force's response patterns with the others'. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joe W. McFadden / Released)

52nd FW leadership tours 704th MUNSS

A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to 704th Munitions Support Squadron and an Italian Air Force Airman assigned to 6th STORMO await instructions during a joint training exercise at Ghedi Air Base, Italy, Jan. 31, 2014. The 704th MUNSS is assigned to Ghedi Air Base which is maintained by the Italian Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joe W. McFadden / Released)

52nd FW leadership tours 704th MUNSS

U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Angelina Clayborn, 704th MUNSS postmaster and Jennings, Fla., native, right, listens as Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Grengs, 52nd Fighter Wing command chief, speaks to her office during a tour of Ghedi Air Base, Italy, Jan. 30, 2014. Clayborn received a chief's coin for her role in creating the base's Airmen Against Drunk Driving program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joe W. McFadden / Released)

52nd FW leadership tours 704th MUNSS

U.S. Air Force Col. David Julazadeh, 52nd Fighter Wing commander, center right, listens as Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Grengs, 52nd FW command chief, right, speaks to Airmen during a lunch at the Centurion dining facility at Ghedi Air Base, Italy, Jan. 31, 2014. Both wing leaders visited Airmen assigned to the 704th Munitions Support Squadron stationed on the Italian Air Force air base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joe W. McFadden / Released)

52nd FW leadership tours 704th MUNSS

Published Feb. 5, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Joe W. McFadden
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

GHEDI AIR BASE, Italy -- Col. David Julazadeh, 52nd Fighter Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Grengs, 52nd FW command chief, visited with several 704th Munitions Support Squadron Airmen during a tour of Ghedi Air Base, Italy, Jan. 30 through Feb. 1.

The 704th MUNSS is a geographically separated unit responsible for receipt, storage, maintenance and control of U.S. war reserve weapons committed to NATO's 6th Stormo, which maintains the installation located within Italy's Brescia region, according to the squadron's factsheet.

"Our wing's message of 'Saber Nation' isn't restricted to the gates of Spangdahlem and its successes aren't limited to the acts of American Airmen," Julazadeh said. "If we are to continue as 'Europe's Sentry and Avenger,' we can only do so with the generosity and significant contributions of our Italian hosts."

Wing leadership visited Airmen serving throughout the 704th MUNSS' different communications, custody, maintenance, mission support and operations flights.

"Although the Cold War ended more than 20 years ago, only four munitions support squadrons still remain in Europe today," Julazadeh said. "That tells me your mission today is still as relevant as when together our country stared down the Soviet Union alongside a valued member of our enduring alliance."

Both the commander and command chief coined many Airmen for superior performance, like Tech Sgt. Angelina D. Clayborn, 704th MUNSS postmaster and Jennings, Fla., native.

"It made me speechless-- it's awesome," said Clayborn, after receiving a coin from the command chief after he touted the work she did in creating the installation's Airmen Against Drunk Driving program. "I just wanted to help my fellow Airmen, and I felt that was one of the ways we could actually contribute. Plus it gets everyone else involved as well."

During their stay, both leaders addressed Airmen's concerns about force management, promotion opportunities and the future of the Air Force.

"Bring your very best every day and remember we need professional disciplined Airmen both on- and off-duty, in and out of uniform," Grengs said. "Focus on the most important thing - be proud of who we are as Airmen both in what we do and what we mean to the national security of our country and that of our partner nations. When you put your uniform on, remember you represent something more than yourself."

The tour, coinciding with celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the Italian-American partnership at Ghedi, culminated in an exercise between both the Italian and American Air Forces near the base's flight line.

"Your performance in today's exercise demonstrated what you all already know to be true," Julazadeh said. "I'm here to tell you that you all aren't just meeting the standards-- you're exceeding them, and I'm proud to serve as your wing commander."

For more photos of the visit, check out the photo set at Spangdahlem's Flickr page.