Lt. Gen. Raymond visits Buckley

by Senior Airman Phillip Houk
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

3/19/2014 - BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Lt. Gen. John W. "Jay" Raymond, U.S. Strategic Command's Joint Functional Component Command for Space and 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) commander, began his tour of all 14th Air Force bases with Buckley Air Force Base March 12, 2013.

During his visit, Raymond visited several units across Buckley, learning about their missions and communicating directly with Airmen about challenges the 460th Space Wing faces.

Several Team Buckley Airmen joined Raymond for breakfast and had the opportunity to ask him questions.

"I had a great breakfast with an outstanding group of Airmen this morning," Raymond said. "They were engaged and asked some very good questions. I appreciated the opportunity to interact with the group and to hear their concerns directly."

After Raymond toured several areas of the base, he delivered his priorities for the 14th Air Force at a commander's call.

These priorities include: focusing on mission excellence by living and operationalizing the core values in each and everything we do, developing effective leaders at all levels with a focus on first-line supervisors, and building healthy relationships between flights, groups, wings and service partners.

Raymond said he looks forward to working with the 460th SW and Buckley.

"The 460th Space Wing operates capabilities that are absolutely vital to the protection of our nation, the effectiveness of our joint force and that of our allies. I see a bright future ahead for this wing," said Raymond.

In Raymond's closing remarks to the base, he reinforced the importance of the base's mission and its Airmen.

"I have been to Buckley several times throughout my career," Raymond said. "The Wing has always impressed me as being a world class team. In fact, there is no one else who can even imagine what you do on a daily basis. I am really proud to serve with you."