COMACC visits Team Dyess

by Capt. Trisha Guillebeau
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

2/19/2013 - DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Budget, Air Force culture and Comprehensive Airman Fitness were main themes during the Air Combat Command commander's first visit to Dyess AFB, where he engaged with Airmen, NCOs and officers alike Feb. 12 and 13.

The general's immersion began with breakfast, where he discussed one of his top priorities with commanders and first sergeants.

"We must continually care for our Airmen and their families," said U.S. Air Force Gen. Mike Hostage, commander of ACC. "Get to know your Airmen personally - they are the cornerstone of your organizations. As leaders, we must take time to continually develop the men and women in our Air Force so that we can continue to deliver combat airpower in support of our nation's interests."

Following breakfast and a visit to the Dyess Museum, Hostage received several briefs to include the Dyess mission brief, the B-1 Day in the Life and squadron mission briefs.

"Dyess and the B-1 community have written a very impressive chapter in Air Force history," Hostage said. "Dyess has a great reputation, and I'm very impressed with what I've seen."

Hostage entertained questions from Airmen during a luncheon following the briefs on topics ranging from education benefits to physical training to changing the culture of the Air Force.

"One of the cultures we are trying to change now is the culture of fitness," Hostage said. "What I need you to do is think in terms of fitness all the time, not just right before a PT test, because your life will be a higher quality, you'll live longer and you'll be healthier."

He also offered his opinion of Dyess.

"Dyess is a huge base with tremendous capacity, but it's underutilized. If it was my choice, I would close every third base and put all of the personnel and equipment at other bases," Hostage said.

One Airman reflected on Hostage's comments.

"Lunch with General Hostage was informative and uplifting regarding PT standards and the overall positive rating of Dyess AFB as a whole," said Airman 1st Class Tiffany Mullen, 7th Mission Support Group. "It was refreshing to hear a senior leader's candid opinion on some of the major issues that we are facing today, such as combat roles being opened to women and budget cuts."

Congratulations were in order for a few shops on base. The general stopped by to offer his compliments on the recent achievements and visit with the Airmen and civilians in those sections. The 7th Contracting Squadron won the Air Force's 2012 Small Business Achievement Award. The 7th Bomb Wing Legal Office won the 2012 Best Legal Office in ACC and the 7th Communications Squadron was awarded the Lt. Gen. Harold W. Grant Award as the Best Communications Squadron in 12th Air Force. The Child Development Center also won the ACC 2012 Child Development Program of the Year Award.

"It was an honor, and I appreciated him taking the time to recognize our accomplishments," said Senior Master Sgt. Gary Virtue, 7th CS.

Hostage took a hands-on approach when he visited the 7th Security Forces Squadron Dog Kennels and the 7th Equipment Maintenance Squadron Fabrication Shop, where he had the opportunity to see how the metals technology flight manufactures highly precise aircraft parts out of aluminum. After receiving an overview, the general entertained questions from Airmen regarding the recent budget issues.

"We've been operating under the continuing resolution for six months now and, at the same time, we are facing sequestration as a result of not finding money in the budget to cut," Hostage said.

Concluding his visit to the 7th Bomb Wing, Hostage thanked the men and women of Team Dyess.

"The fact that we continue to live the way we live is because one-tenth of one percent of our society is willing to fight and die for our freedom," Hostage said. "We all grew up free to make our own choices because generations ago someone put on a uniform and fought and died to protect that freedom for us. I have kids and grandchildren who will grow up with that freedom because each one of you chose to put on a uniform. It doesn't matter how long you serve, every bit of service is important because you are preserving something that really is unique in the history of humanity - freedom. Thank-you for serving. Thanks for wearing the uniform and thanks for all that you do."