AMC commander visits Ramstein

by Senior Airman Nicole Sikorski
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

4/6/2015 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany  -- General Darren W. McDew, Air Mobility Command commander, visited Ramstein Air Base March 28 through April 2.

During his visit, he held an all-call for more than 500 Airmen from U.S. Air Forces in Europe, 3rd Air Force, the 86th Airlift Wing and the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing.

At the all-call, the general discussed the value of bringing forward different outlooks to bolster innovation.

"We need to include different perspectives to keep moving forward," he said. "Doing things the same way we always have isn't going to solve a lot of our problems," he explained.

McDew emphasized the importance of living the Air Force core values and knowing their full meaning: integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.

"It's important to get back to those values," he said.

The general also spoke of plans for fiscal year 2015 with budget constraints. McDew reiterated the Headquarters Air Force position that there will be no force shaping in the upcoming year.

"If we don't get the requested budget, something has to be cut," said McDew.  "It won't be people. It will stop us from growing, but we're not going to cut people."

McDew explained the impact each Airman has on the Air Force, and the importance of diversity and inclusion.

"It is all about performance," said McDew. "It is all about getting the right and best people to the table ... if you don't capture diverse perspectives, you don't have a chance of getting the very best."

In addition to his all-call, McDew presented Airmen from across many Ramstein units with coins for their superior job performance.

"It was great to have a leader come visit," said Senior Airman Lindsay Meyer, 721st Aerial Port Squadron passenger service specialist. "It makes me realize the impact my job has on the Air Force."