CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
The commander and the Command Chief of 18th Air Force visited Charleston AFB Nov. 13 to 15 to meet the Airmen of Charleston AFB.
Team Charleston welcomed 18 AF commander Maj. Gen. James Hawkins and 18 AF Command Chief Master Sgt. Brye McMillon during their three -day visit to Charleston AFB.
General Hawkins said he was impressed with everything he saw during his visit, but he was exceptionally pleased with the Airmen from both of the wings.
"It's great to see the continued great work that both the 437th and the 315th are doing because there really is a team here between our active duty and reserve forces," said General Hawkins. "Charleston's Airmen are the ones who make things happen day in and day out and they are the true warriors in the Global War on Terrorism."
During his visit, General Hawkins discussed the importance of Charleston AFB and the Global War on Terrorism and his objectives during his visit.
"When you think about the airlift flown in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, it's impossible not the think of the 437 and 315 AWs," said General Hawkins. "My objectives as I visit 18 AF units are to look at the morale and the espirit de corps of our forces, see how the mission is accomplished and that we are doing everything we can to have cargo and passengers flow as rapidly as possible.
"Our goal is to make sure we are getting the equipment, sustainment and re-supplies to the warfighter in the most expeditious manner," he said.
Airmen at Team Charleston know this more than anyone because of their roles in the Global War on Terrorism.
"The Airmen here at Charleston play a big part in the flow of cargo going to Operation Iraqi Freedom," said General Hawkins. "Charleston has been the single point of departure for cargo as part of OIF and that is a pretty important responsibility, and I am very proud of what 18 AF and Charleston AFB are doing in the Global War on Terrorism."
General Hawkins said the Airmen here accomplish the Air Force priorities for fighting and winning the Global War on Terrorism every day by the tonnage they move, how they take care of our Airmen and their families when they are deployed and how they are finding new and better ways of accomplishing the mission.
General Hawkins said as he was leaving Charleston AFB he was extremely pleased with Team Charleston and with everyone he had the opportunity of meeting during his visit.
"Charleston AFB is just a super base," said General Hawkins. "I was really impressed with how great it was to see the 437th and the 315th teaming together to get that mission accomplished. Whether it was the aerial port or the maintenance side, it truly is a joint force team," said General Hawkins. "I was really pleased with the great pride that everyone has at Charleston AFB across the board and they are, in every sense of the word, true wingmen in addition to being Air Force warriors."