AF Reserve vice commander visits Travis

by Tech. Sgt. Stephen J. Collier
349th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

6/23/2014 - TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.  -- The men and women of this northern California base hosted the vice commander of Air Force Reserve Command June 20-22 here for a look at the wing's mission and innovation spurred by individual Airmen.

Maj. Gen. Richard "Beef" Haddad met with both senior wing leadership and individual reservists from the 349th and 60th Air Mobility Wings, gaining what he said was a better understanding of the global mobility mission here and the challenges individual reservists face.

"I'm very impressed with what I'm seeing from these great Americans that put on the uniform," Haddad said of Team Travis Airmen. "As I keep telling folks all the time, 80 percent of our reserve is made up of part-timers and they do some incredible stuff. And some of the things they're doing to enhance the mission and be more effective is so impressive to me."

During his visit, Haddad toured several facilities, including the 312th Airlift Squadron where he received an update on the C-5 Galaxy aircraft conversion and the fleet's ongoing modernization program. The general also toured David Grant Medical Center and spoke with Airmen from the 349th Aerospace Medicine Squadron on the creation of a wing fitness clinic. Among other stops, Haddad also addressed the men and women of the 749th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron during the unit's roll call June 22.

Senior Airman Robert Bonte, Jr., who spoke with the general during his breakfast with wing junior-enlisted Airmen, said it was inspiring to hear him address issues of concern to him.

"I work Monday through Friday with disabled adults and when I hear everything going on with the VA, Iraq, Afghanistan, the budget; there's a lot of confusion out there," said Bonte, who serves as an air transportation journeyman with the 55th Aerial Port Squadron since 2010. "It's good to know the command cares about us, and that we have civilian lives. It's nice to know whatever rank you are, you're still approachable. When you can get information from someone way up the chain of command, it's definitely reassuring."

The general, who has visited the 349th AMW once before, also discussed some larger issues affecting the command. When asked what kept him up at night, Haddad said making sure reservists are taken care of is at the top of his list.

"People are our most important asset," he pointed out. "With issues such as sexual assaults and suicide prevention, it's all about making sure we're taking care of people. Our Chief of Staff of the Air Force says if you're leading our Airmen, you need to know them. If there's someone who is potentially suffering, we should know and be able to assist them in getting help. Those are the challenges that are causing so many issues in our Air Force today."

With visits to operations, maintenance, medical and mission support elements, Haddad said he was delighted to see the progress being made by both the wing, as well as individual Airmen, who have stepped up to the challenge of innovation and bringing civilian ideas to their military positions.

"To see the innovation going on out here, and the resolutions (Airmen) have come up with in regards to issues like eFinance and DTS is amazing," he said. "The concerns that have been brought up are issues we have throughout the command, but it's individual people at this wing that are cominging up solutions. If we can find an easy, effective way of correcting a major problem, why wouldn't we do it? It's this reason I'm extremely impressed by the 349th and all the initiatives Colonel Burger has going on under his command."