U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center commander visits Pope AAF

by Marvin Krause
43rd Airlift Group Public Affairs

9/27/2013 - POPE ARMY AIRFIELD, FORT BRAGG, N.C.  -- Maj. Gen. Rick Martin, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center commander, met with Airmen of the 43rd Airlift Group here Sep. 16 during a visit to see the group's mission firsthand.

During the visit, Martin received a Global Response Force mission briefing from Col. Daniel Tulley, 43rd AG commander, and attended meetings with Brig. Gen. James Scanlan, 440th Airlift Wing commander and U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John Nicholson Jr., 82nd Airborne Division commander. He also held an all-call with Pope Airmen and visited 43rd AG units.

During the all-call, the general highlighted the group's Global Response Force mission. The GRF is a joint force that can deploy on short notice anywhere in the world by land, air or sea to conduct a variety of missions. As an element of the GRF, the 43rd AG provides precise outload, enroute support and mobility operations supporting the 82nd Airborne Division.

"All of you are part of this great team, but your mission and units are unique. It's a unique challenge, and you are up to that challenge. The GRF mission defines what this wonderful group does here." said Martin. "The GRF exemplifies two things - the power projection and sustainment of the 18th Airborne Corps, 82nd Airborne Division, Task Force, and Air Force units and then the tremendous training that goes on here. There's not a single person in our United States military and our civilian leadership that doesn't appreciate the center of gravity that resides at Fort Bragg, Pope Army Airfield, and the Airmen who support and make that mobility strategic response capability mission happen. So, my hat's off to you on the Global Response Force mission set that each of you support in your way."

Martin also commented on importance of building relationships and partnerships between the Army and the Air Force at Fort Bragg and Pope Army Airfield.

"There's no better place to see partnerships happening than here. Gen. Allyn, U.S. Army Forces Command commanding general said that he is rock steady on the 43rd. He couldn't be more proud of what you all do. Those partnerships here in this Army-Air Force team is what we are about in the military now," said Martin.

The general also charged Airmen to increase mission capability while maintaining fiscal responsibility and to build relationships that establish trust to get the mission accomplished effectively.

"Gen. Selva, Air Mobility Command commander, is asked how would we collectively maintain or increase mission capability while maintaining fiscal responsibility. So, that's the challenge to all of us in this mission. That's a charge to your leadership, that's my charge from my leadership, but it's about going far together, and it's about partnerships and relationships. Relationships determine everything."

The general concluded his visit to Pope by visiting 43rd units and presenting his commander's coin to several Airmen and civilians, recognizing them for their outstanding performance.