Expeditionary Center vice commander visits 43 AG

by Marvin Krause
43rd Airlift Group public affairs

2/24/2015 - POPE ARMY AIRFIELD, N.C. -- The vice commander of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center, Brig. Gen. Tim Gibson, visited the 43rd Airlift Group Feb. 19-20, 2015, to meet with Airmen and learn about their units' unique capabilities, key initiatives and missions.

During his two-day visit, he received a Global Response Force mission briefing from Lt. Col. David Morgan, commander of the 43rd Operations Support Squadron and met with Brig. Gen. Brian Winski, deputy commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division, Brig. Gen. James Scanlan, 440th Airlift Wing commander and Col. Kenneth Moss, commander of the 43rd Airlift Group. Additionally, the general met with local civic leaders, toured the 82nd Airborne Division's outload nodes and visited several of the group's units to meet with Airmen.

"Thank you for the work that you're doing to support one of Air Mobility Command's most important responsibilities, the Global Response Force mission," Gibson said. "We fail as a force if we fail to get this right--you are doing an outstanding job of supporting and executing your mission."

The general also reinforced the USAF EC priorities of training Airmen, enabling partners and shaping global response to the group's Airmen. He also presented Expeditionary Center commander coins to several of the group's Airmen and civilians, recognizing their outstanding duty performance.

"It was very inspiring to meet the Gryphons and see first-hand how you are supporting our joint special operations and 82nd Airborne Division partners, as well as executing the Global Response Force mission," Gibson said. "I witnessed some innovative training initiatives by the group's highly motivated Airmen that have the potential to save our taxpayers thousands of dollars if approved. I also met with local civic leaders whose unyielding support of Pope's Airmen and their families is amazing. There is an outstanding commitment to service here and I look forward to a return visit in the future," Gibson said.