General shares vision, expectations with command

by Tech. Sgt. James M. Hodgman
U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa Public Affairs

1/29/2014 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- The U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Commander held his first USAFE-AFAFRICA commander's call here Jan. 24.

Gen. Frank Gorenc, USAFE-AFAFRICA commander, opened the commander's call by recognizing the 4th quarter award winners and the newest promotees. He then turned his focus to the various issues affecting the command.

The general spoke about the strategic importance of USAFE-AFAFRICA. He encouraged Airman to "Step up and Step in," and stressed the importance of excellence and innovation, especially during challenging times. Before answering questions from the audience he finished by briefly covering the results from the unit climate survey and the changes to the Uniformed Code of Military Justice regarding sexual assault and sex-related offenses.

Gorenc shared why the European and African theaters are so important to the national interests of the United States.

"We are ready and we have the entire spectrum of capabilities in Europe from aerial refueling, to airlift, to fighters, to everything you could possibly want," Gorenc said. "We're here because we develop partnerships, we are a country that fights in coalitions and we are a member of the world's greatest alliance."

Building partnerships has been a major focus area for USAFE-AFAFRICA, and the command conducted more than 1,700 Building Partnership Capacity events in 2013 with nearly 60 nations, according to the USAFE-AFAFRICA International Affairs Divisions.

The general also stressed why the command is so important "We're forward, we're ready and we're ready now," he said.

"We can deploy to fight at a moment's notice. We are prepared and ready to do contingency support, engage and have ready forces now. We do persistent ISR (Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) and theater ballistic missile defense now. We are ready and we are ready now."

Being prepared and ready is one of the many ways that USAFE-AFAFRICA supports the Air Force's five core competencies of air and space superiority, ISR, rapid global mobility, global strike and command and control.

The general said his command's commitment to those priorities will never stop.

"We haven't had an American on the ground attacked from the air since the Korean War. That's a pretty good track record and we fully intend to keep it that way," he said.

The general shared his expectations for all Airmen.

"I want you to step up to opportunity, I want you to be accountable for your own development and I want you to make sure your readiness is up to max level every single day. We need to encourage our Airmen to grab the keys for their own development."

While the general wants all Airmen to step up to opportunity, he also wants them to step in to potentially negative situations.

"Step in to prevent suicide. When it comes to sexual assault don't tolerate it, don't condone it, and don't ignore it," Gorenc added.

He informed all in attendance that starting in June 2014 enlisted members who commit rape, aggravated sexual assault, forcible sodomy or attempt to commit a wide range of sexual crimes will be dishonorably discharged and officer's would be dismissed from the service.

"The bottom line is we have victims out there that we need to treat with respect," Gorenc said. "This crime affects victims in ways that most crimes don't. That's the reality and we're going after this problem."

During the commander's call, Gorenc discussed the 19 changes to the Uniform Code of Military Justice regarding sexual assault and sex-related offenses from the fiscal 2014 National Defense Authorization Act. Among the changes include elimination of the 5-year statute of limitations for some offenses and a person who is accused of sexual assault can now be temporarily reassigned.

The command's Unit Climate Assessment Survey results were also released.

The general emphasized that the Air Force is going through a great amount of change and despite the challenges change brings, his command is performing at a high level.

"The mission is being accomplished at an unbelievably high level," he said.

Gorenc also said the command will continue to focus on Airmen and excellence going forward.

"We're committed to making sure our Airmen are ready for the future because we know that to get to the world's greatest Air Force status it's not going to be the technology" Gorenc said. "It's going to be our people who take that technology and translate it to meet the commander's intent in theater."