18th AF commander shares mission and vision with Fairchild Airmen

by Senior Airman Mary O'Dell
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

7/29/2014 - FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Lt. Gen. Carlton Everhart II, 18th Air Force commander, came to Fairchild to preside over the 92nd Air Refueling Wing Change of Command ceremony July 25, 2014. During his quick visit, Everhart toured Memorial Grove, a site dedicated to Fairchild men and women who have lost their lives while serving their country, as well as visited with Fairchild leaders and their families during a pre-ceremony reception.

Everhart also took some time to answer questions about important topics affecting 18th AF and Fairchild Airmen.

Q: How do total force integration units, like Fairchild, strengthen 18th Air Force's mission capabilities?
A: "I am a big fan of total force integration because it gives us flexibility to support our nation's needs and it gives us opportunities to build relationships. In our Air Reserve Component and reserve wings, there is so much vast experience that our young crew force can benefit from."

Q: How do you feel the KC-135 and KC-46 will work alongside each other over the years as the KC-135 is slowly brought to retirement?
A: "The good news is the KC-135 will be here for a while, and that experience base as we bring on the KC-46 will be vital as we develop that aircraft and its capabilities. I believe they will complement and support each other for years to come. Both are capable of air mobility, and we rely on our tanker force. I know as we go forward and execute the needs of our nation, they will be the perfect team, together, to get things done."

Q: How will force shaping impact the 18th AF mission moving forward and what do you recommend to Airmen and their families going through that process?
A: "I recommend that Airmen ask their supervisors and commanders about the initiatives involving force shaping so that they fully understand the purpose of force shaping and can educate their families. As we draw down and these initiatives take effect, I'm going to start relying on our Airmen to think of innovative ways to do things. It's true, we are going to get smaller, but I also believe we are going to get better."

Q: What advice can you provide to family members as the deployment tempo continues to change?
A: "First of all, I ask they be patient. Deployments are going to ramp up, deployments are going to subside. We have to understand current events and be prepared. That's what we do as a nation, and that's what makes our military so strong. Our Airmen support this mindset and understand the rules, and we need to give them credit and educate them along the way to make sure they are prepared."

Q: Spokane was recently awarded the Abilene Trophy for best community support in AMC. How important is that community support to the warfighter and how does it impact the mission?
A: "It always impacts the mission in a positive light, and this community is a perfect example of that. One of the first things we talk about when I visit various bases is how well the community supports the base. It's a fact that the base is a part of that community's heartbeat and the base is a representation of the state they are in. Community relationships are vital because they provide good welfare for our Airmen."

Q: In your 30 years of service, what have you learned that you would like to pass on to Airmen?
A: "You need to be the best that you can be and bloom where you are planted. Do your job and do it well, and you will be recognized. I believe in our Airmen, with a big A, across the entire spectrum to go out and get the mission done."

Everhart assumed command of 18th Air Force June 20. In this position, he is responsible for the command's worldwide operational mission of providing rapid, global mobility and sustainment for America's armed forces. With more than 37,000 active-duty Airmen, Guardsmen, Reservists and civilians and approximately 1,100 aircraft, 18th AF manages global air mobility through the 618th Air and Space Operations Center, 11 wings and two stand-alone airlift groups.