JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Major General William Bender and wife Sue visited Joint Base Charleston Nov. 14 and Nov 15.
Bender is commander of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. The USAF Expeditionary Center is the Air Force's Center of Excellence for advanced expeditionary combat support training and education. Additionally, the center provides direct leadership to Joint Base Charleston.
During the tour, the General and his wife visited Joint Base facilities on both the Naval Weapons Station and Air Base, including the Army Strategic Logistics Activity- Charleston and facilities that were participating in Warrior Week.
Mrs. Bender was also able to visit several different agencies.
As a part of the tour, Bender had the opportunity to observe Warrior Week activities in preparation for the Operational Readiness Inspection. Some of the exercises included were Self Aid Buddy Care, Ability to Survive and Operate and Post Attack Reconnaissance.
There, he presented a coin to Capt. Jason Guadalupe, FSS Operations Officer, and was able to give some words of gratitude to the Airmen who were training,
"Thank you for what you are doing," said the general. "You are representing the Joint Base, your wing and your unit to the inspection team. If you're out there and fighting in the ORI, just remember that in the end, it's always a team effort and it usually ends up being successful. So I appreciate all the hard work that you're doing and the jobs that you have to do, including this extra training for Warrior Week. You know your stuff and that is what your leaders here are counting on. So, thanks for what you're doing."
Bender had an overall positive attitude towards the Airmen and their ability to succeed. "Good luck in the ORI. We'll be watching to see how you do. I'm sure it's going to be good news."
The general also attended Mock Deployment Training and the Logistics Readiness Squadron's Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High Yield hands on training.
During a separate tour, Mrs. Bender visited the dorm facilities, Forest City housing, the Honor Guard, 628th Medical Group, Child Development Center, and the Naval Health Clinic Charleston.
She ended her day by spending time with a group of junior spouses at the Airmen and Family Readiness Center. "Keeping our military spouses informed is very important to the overall mission," said Mrs. Bender. "It helps the readiness of our Sailors and Airmen."