Chief Master Sgt. Ricardo Robelin, 86th Communications Squadron superintendent, and several other 86th CS Airmen shake hands and greet Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, outside of the satellite communications facility as part of his immersion with the 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, June 15. This visit gave General Welsh along with Chief Master Sgt. David Williamson, USAFE command chief, the opportunity to see how the Airmen of the 86th AW support contingency operations and build strong partnerships in Europe and throughout the world. (U.S. Air force photo by Staff Sgt. Tyrona Lawson)
Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, speaks to Airmen during a commander's call as part of his immersion with the 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, June 15. This visit gave General Welsh and Chief Master Sgt. David Williamson, USAFE command chief, the opportunity to see how the Airmen of the 86th AW support contingency operations and build strong partnerships throughout Europe and around the world. (U.S. Air force photo by Staff Sgt. Tyrona Lawson)
Tech.Sgt. Matt Kostos, 86th Logistics Readiness Squadron, briefs Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, on plans for a new Individual Protective Equipment facility, during the general?s visit of the 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, June 15. This visit gave General Welsh along with Chief Master Sgt. David Williamson, USAFE command chief, the opportunity to see how the Airmen of the 86th AW support contingency operations and build strong partnerships in Europe and throughout the world. (U.S. Air force photo by Staff Sgt. Tyrona Lawson)
Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, and Chief Master Sgt. David Williamson, USAFE command chief, speak with Airmen during lunch at the Rheinland Inn as part of their immersion with the 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, June 15. The day was the first "official" visit since the general assumed command of USAFE and gave General Welsh and Chief Williamson the opportunity to see how the Airmen of the 86th AW support contingency operations and build strong partnerships in Europe and throughout the world. (U.S. Air force photo by Staff Sgt. Tyrona Lawson)
Airman 1st Class Nicholas Degenhardt, 86th Maintenance Squadron, briefs Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, and Chief Master Sgt. David Williamson, USAFE command chief, on the maintenance aircraft inspection process,during their immersion with the wing June 15. This visit gave General Welsh along with Chief Master Sgt. David Williamson, USAFE command chief, the opportunity to see how the Airmen of the 86th AW support contingency operations and build strong partnerships in Europe and throughout the world. (U.S. Air force photo by Staff Sgt. Tyrona Lawson)
Staff Sgt. Samantha Soran, 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, briefs Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, and Chief Master Sgt. David Williamson, USAFE command chief, on aeromedical evacuation functions and procedures during their immersion with the 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, June 15. This visit gave General Welsh and Chief Williamson the opportunity to see how the Airmen of the 86th AW support contingency operations and build strong partnerships in Europe and throughout the world. (U.S. Air force photo by Staff Sgt. Tyrona Lawson)
Capt. Dominque Torres, 786th Force Support Squadron, briefs Betty Welsh (left), wife of Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, and Mary Williamson, wife of Chief Master Sgt. David W. Williamson, USAFE command chief, on the latest plans to improve running tracks and trails on base as part of their immersion with the 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, June 15. Though the spouses are familiar with the base due to their residence here, but this visit offered the unique opportunity to see new programs geared at taking care of Airmen and their families and meet the individuals that make it all happen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kendra Alba)
Celeste Suminsby (right) of the 86th Airlift Wing's Women Infants Children office, briefs Betty Welsh (center), wife of Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, and Mary Williamson, wife of Chief Master Sgt. David W. Williamson, USAFE command chief, on the latest status of the WIC office as part of their immersion with the 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, June 15. Mrs. Welsh was instrumental in establishing the WIC office during a previous assignment to Ramstein several years ago. Though the spouses are familiar with the base due to their residence here, this visit offered the unique opportunity to see new programs geared at taking care of Airmen and their families and meet the individuals that make it all happen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kendra Alba)
Betty Welsh (middle), wife of Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, and Mary Williamson (right), wife of Chief Master Sgt. David W. Williamson, USAFE command chief, speaks with volunteer, Senior Airman Alysia Vasquez about Club 7 operations as part of their official immersion with the 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, June 15. Though the spouses are familiar with the base due to their residence here, this visit offered the unique opportunity to see new programs geared at taking care of Airmen and their families and meet the individuals that make it all happen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kendra Alba)
Betty Welsh (center), wife of Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, Mary Williamson, wife of Chief Master Sgt. David W. Williamson, USAFE command chief, Debbie Mueller, wife of Lt. Gen. Stephen P. Mueller, USAFE vice commander, Sarah Dillon, wife of Brig. Gen. Mark Dillon, 86th Airlift Wing commander, and Laura Lambert, wife of Col. Stephen Lambert, 86th AW vice commander, visit the Wi-Fi lounge in the Ramstein Enlisted Club as part of a USAFE immersion with the wing June 15. In addition to touring the facility and speaking with volunteer youth sports coaches, the group also spoke to Alan Fleming, Brooke Sands and Paula Scott about the Kaiserslautern Military Community Youth Sports Program. Though the spouses are familiar with the base due to their residence here, this visit offered the unique opportunity to see new programs geared at taking care of Airmen and their families and meet the individuals that make it all happen.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kendra Alba)
by Senior Airman Katherine Holt
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
6/16/2011 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, Chief Master Sgt. David Williamson, USAFE command chief, and their spouses visited the Airmen of the 86th Airlift Wing Jun. 15, to see firsthand the different capabilities the unit brings to the fight.
"You do phenomenal work," General Welsh said to the Airmen during an all-call. "In many ways, Ramstein is the backbone of what we do in USAFE. Each of you is critically important."
The visit gave General Welsh and Chief Williamson the opportunity to hear how the Airmen of the 86th AW work to support contingency operations and build strong bonds in Europe and throughout the world.
Though the group is familiar with the base due to their residence here, the day marked the first official visit since the general assumed command Dec. 13, 2010.
"It's a pleasure to live on this base," the general said. "You guys are great. Thanks for taking care of our Airmen and their families."
As part of the day's events, General Welsh and Chief Williamson were immersed in many missions of the 86th AW, to include showcasing our satellite communications capabilities, the vital wounded warrior mission at the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility, and the critical deployment throughput that occurs at the newly completed Joint Mobility Processing Center.
"It was amazing to see General Welsh up close," said Senior Airman Matthew Lancaster, 86th Medical Support Squadron medical maintainer, one of 14 Airmen selected to have lunch with General Welsh and Chief Williamson. "It was an honor to openly discuss our concerns and have our questions answered first hand."
Meanwhile, Betty Welsh, General Welsh's wife; Debbie Mueller, wife of Lt. Gen. Stephen P. Mueller, USAFE vice commander; and Mary Williamson, Chief Williamson's wife; visited with other wing members to showcase new programs geared at taking care of Airmen and their families. From the Airman and Family Readiness Center's newest cultural immersion tours to the new gym at the Ramstein Intermediate School, the spouses got a feel for how hard the wing works to enhance quality of life for the entire Kaiserslautern Military Community.
The immersion came to an end with an "all-call" where General Welsh and Chief Williamson not only thanked wing personnel for their every day service, but also offered some perspective on their expectations, their personal principles and experiences throughout their career.
General Welsh spoke about pride--the pride he has in his grandfather, in his father, in himself and his son. He challenged Airmen to take pride in everything they do.
"If you're not proud of who you are and what you represent, you don't count for much in this business," General Welsh said. "People plus pride equals performance."
He continued to tell a story of a staff sergeant from Kunsan Air Base, Korea. The staff sergeant needed to get an assignment to the states, and he needed it quickly. He was fighting for custody of his daughter and needed to be in court in two days.
"Why didn't I know earlier that he had a daughter?" the general asked the audience. "Because I never asked him. Every Airman has a story. If you don't know the stories, you can't lead the Airmen."
Chief Williamson talked to Airmen on accountability and standards, and he expressed his excitement to work alongside a new group of Airmen.
"Accountability starts with each and every one of us," Chief Williamson said. "Hold yourself, your peers and your superiors accountable."
The chief expressed his appreciation and approval of the Airmen in the 86 AW.
"As we visited the 86th AW, we were very impressed. You are a very diverse wing," Chief Williamson said. "The dedication and pride that I have seen is absolutely something special. Thank you for being my wingman."
General Welsh closed the all-call with a message to the 86 AW.
"You're ensuring freedom's future, and you're doing it every day," General Welsh said. "It's good to wear the uniform with you."
