COMACC addresses budget, education with Pope Airmen

by Senior Airman Melissa Dearstone
440th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

7/23/2014 -  POPE ARMY AIRFIELD, N.C. -- General Mike Hostage, commander of Air Combat Command, shared his perspectives on the budget and education during a visit with 18th Air Support Operations Group Airmen here July 16.

The 18th provides operational planning, weather support, joint air and ground training, and contingency planning for 19 geographically separated ACC units.

In addition to seeing the unit's mission firsthand, Hostage took time to address the issues on the minds of the unit's Airmen during an All Call. Not surprisingly the budget took center stage during the discussion.

Hostage said that despite budget or manpower cuts, the duty of Airmen to be ready to fight when the time comes remains.

"Our job is to be as effective as we can be with whatever they give us and we will do that," he said.

The general also addressed the Tuition Assistance Program, noting "we are not going to say no to furthering education. It is not that tuition assistance is going away, we just may not have as much money as we did before."

ASOG Airmen expressed gratitude for the general's candor and at the opportunity to highlight their important mission.

"It is important for our top leadership to visit and see what we as battlefield Airmen do in garrison and more importantly, a tactical environment," said Senior Airman Paul Peay Jr, 18th ASOG weather forecaster. "I believe we have a unique skill set that impacts the Army's overall mission downrange, and it is nice to be able to showcase that to the COMACC."

The all call was the last stop for Hostage's visit, but he didn't leave without thanking his fellow Airmen.

"We are a beacon of hope for a lot of people on the planet," he said. "Your service is what's important and I want to thank each and every one of you for what you do every day."