VCSAF, spouse take in Ramstein mission sets

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Clay Lancaster
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
The Air Force's Vice Chief of Staff and his spouse visited Ramstein to meet with Airmen and familiarize themselves with the mission sets of three different wings here April 18, 2016.

Ramstein is one of several installations Gen. David L. Goldfein and his wife, Dawn, will visit throughout U.S. Air Forces in Europe.  The Goldfeins had the opportunity to not only hear from Airmen in the 86th Airlift Wing but also from those in the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing and 435th Air Ground Operations Wing.

"The Airmen here at Ramstein, and the missions they're all performing, are truly phenomenal and it shows in the few examples I've experienced while visiting," said Goldfein.  "Although I'm familiar with the area having graduated from high school here, I'm less familiar with recent accomplishments and it's been great hearing about the amazing work of the Airmen here in USAFE."

Goldfein visited the Deployment Transition Center, was briefed on Ramstein's support roles in the ordered departure of dependents from Turkey and saw, first-hand, innovations the installation has made in the last year.

Mrs. Goldfein was introduced to several of Team Ramstein's key spouses, many of whom were instrumental in the success of the reception efforts when families from Turkey started arriving at Ramstein. She was interested in finding out how those families, especially children, were adjusting to their new home.

"It truly speaks to the resilience of military spouses," said CarriMay Waite, 435th Construction Training Squadron key spouse. "The children bounce back because the parents are setting such a great example."

She continued to tell Mrs. Goldfein about all the other activities and events made available to the children through youth sports and other force support initiatives.

"It is a testament to just how much our military spouses and families serve, as well," added Mrs. Goldfein.

She also heard first-hand accounts from three displaced spouses whose children are completing the DoDDS school year at Ramstein, and visited the Vogelweh Child Development Center, Vogelweh School Age Program and Vogelweh Elementary School library.

All facets of her visit settled one of her primary concerns; the children who are finishing their school year at schools in the Kaiserslautern Military Community are adjusting well.

"The efforts made by the installation during the families' departure from Turkey are just one example of how the Airmen in USAFE are caring for people and leading the Air Force and its mission,"  said the general.