LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Maj. Gen. Lawrence Wells, the 9th Air Force commander, and his wife Kathy visited Joint Base Langley-Eustis Jan. 9 through 11, meeting with base personnel and learning about the evolution of one the military's joint bases.
Wells and Chief Master Sgt. Robert Brooks, the 9th AF command chief, made stops at locations at Langley Air Force Base and Fort Eustis, getting a first-hand look at the diverse mission sets and operational capacities of each installation. Wells' itinerary included visits to USAF Hospital Langley, the 633rd Air Base Wing's and 1st Fighter Wing's headquarters, and Eustis' Felker Army Airfield, among others.
The trip north from Shaw AFB, S.C., marked a return to Langley for Wells, who served in multiple positions at Headquarters Air Combat Command from 2001 to 2004, and again from 2006 to 2007. Wells assumed command of 9th AF at Shaw in October 2011.
According to Wells, he is impressed with the changes he observed, especially the cohesiveness developed during the joint basing process.
"My first impression is awesome. We're impressed by the joint aspect of the Army working very closely with the Air Force, but more importantly the young Airmen and Soldiers that have showed us what they do every day to increase their mission capabilities," Wells said.
Wells took advantage of the opportunity to greet and thank as many personnel as possible, demonstrating his policy of prioritizing people. He addressed concerns Airmen had about recent changes and issues affecting the force, including budget cuts, force management and combat operations worldwide.
"Our first concern is taking care of the Airmen returning home from combat," he explained. "As some of our troops return from Iraq, we still have a major portion of the Air Force forward deployed supporting the fight that's ongoing in Afghanistan. We need to make sure they get the right support for not only themselves but for their families as they go forward. What the chief and I are working on is making sure we support all our Airmen during this time of reduced tension.
"Even though (the war in) Iraq is over, we know there are things occurring in the Horn of Africa, in Asia, and what's going on in Afghanistan, so it's important that they're trained, ready to deploy and ready to employ with the best capability that they can bring to the fight," he continued.
Mrs. Wells made time to visit spouses of deployed servicemembers, offering support and encouragement to those keeping the home fires burning as Airmen and Soldiers serve downrange. General Wells emphasized how important families are to mission success.
"We couldn't do what we do today without the support we receive from families -- the wives, husbands, mothers, fathers and children, so we have to be very careful to take care of them," Wells said.
Regarding budget cuts, the general pledged a resilient commitment to taking care of Airmen first, and completing the mission with the assets provided.
"The cuts are something that'll occur no matter what we do. We just have to be prepared to execute the budget, execute the mission that we're given with the available means we have," he explained.
"We moved into a technologically advanced, very sophisticated force, but what we're focusing on is the person. The analog aspect -- the blood, bones and teeth -- getting together with Airmen and taking care of their needs from a basic system," Wells said. "We're not going to cut the attention to people. As manpower and personnel is drawn down, the people that remain in have to be highly trained and very sophisticated, but more importantly we have to keep the wingman aspect of our culture alive and well, and focus on taking care of each other."
According to Wells, Airmen are the heart and soul of the Air Force, and will continue driving the service's success.
"We are serving in a profession of arms. It's not a job, not a duty. What we do today is a calling. I put my heart and soul into the Airmen and families," the general said. "I can't thank them enough, and if it weren't for the young Airmen I have working with me and for me, I would've gotten out of the Air Force years ago."
Wells encouraged Airmen to "love what they do," and to continue making themselves better.
"We are deployed around the world, engaged in training, engaged in combat operations, and we still have time to raise families and teach and learn, making ourselves professionally more competent. Focus on personal duty and integrity," he imparted to Airmen. "Take care of those things that are important to being the best Airman you can be, and focus on your fellow Airmen. Spend time with family. Every night go home, hug the kids and spouse, and thank them for all that they're doing. Without them, you wouldn't be serving the Air Force today."