CJCS leads six stars to RAF Mildenhall during USO tour

by Senior Airman Kate Maurer
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

12/11/2014 - RAF MILDENHALL, England  -- Among stars of the entertainment world, Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, greeted members of RAF Mildenhall, RAF Lakenheath and their families during a USO Holiday Tour Dec. 10, 2014, on RAF Mildenhall, England.

"[It's really an honor] to be here during the holiday season to say thank you and to wish everyone happy [holidays], that's all I really want [our Airmen] to remember," said Dempsey.

Dempsey and the celebrities finished their tour in the U.K. after visiting service members in Italy, Spain, Turkey and Afghanistan over the last five days.

"It's not likely that they'll remember that the chairman was here, it's more likely they'll remember the celebrities and then there was just some military guy with them," joked the chairman.

Dempsey explained that it's tradition for the Chairman of the JCS to accompany a USO tour at least once a year and these types of events are important to him because they give him and the celebrities a chance to say thank you.

"It's absolutely inspirational to get out here and see the equipment, technology and hardware, but truthfully this hardware is not worth much unless it's peopled by the best and brightest that we have in America - and it is," Dempsey said.                      

During his visit, Dempsey toured statics of a CV-22B Osprey, F-15C Strike Eagle, KC-135 Stratotanker, 352nd Special Operations Group ground displays and coined 14 Airmen for their exceptional job performance. He then wrapped up his visit with a few words to the crowd and introduced the USO show.

"So it's the kind of interaction that you see going on around this equipment that allows me to remind myself what's most important in our profession are the men and women who wear the uniform and their families," Dempsey said.