AFMC commander visits Southwest Asia

Published Feb. 11, 2009
By Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher
386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- Gen. Donald Hoffman, Air Force Materiel Command commander, visited the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia Feb. 9 as part of a multi-base tour of bases in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

The trip is the general's first to the AOR since taking command of AFMC in November. "I'm here to observe and here to listen," General Hoffman said. "Air Force Materiel Command is very integral to the success of our Air Force. We're responsible for developing and acquiring systems, and we're responsible for sustaining those systems, so I'm here with parts of my staff to ask the question of the Airmen, 'How do you find our product?'"

General Hoffman said the contributions AFMC Airmen are making are key to sustaining operations in the AOR. Although AFMC's make-up is 70 percent civilian, General Hoffman said Airmen from his command are fully engaged in the deployed fight.

"Whether you're flightline or flying bombers or flying airlifters or not even part of the flying mission, all Airmen are involved in our global war on terrorism," he said. "AFMC has more than 2,000 Airmen deployed. Here, for example, the hospital function is run by a unit from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base on a rotating basis and augmented by other bases, so AFMC is very much deployed with the warfighters over here."

One of General Hoffman's areas of key interest is recapitalization of the Air Force fleet. While Airmen here and throughout the AOR are doing a superb job maintaining and sustaining aircraft, he said deployed Airmen deserve more.

"Today I sat in the cockpits of three or four different aircraft, and these are vintage aircraft," he said. "They have steam-driven gauges and round dials. The great Airmen over here operating these weapons systems and sustaining these systems are keeping them in the air, but we, as a nation, owe them better, and better does exist out there. That takes resources, that takes modernization, and that's our challenge right now."

The challenge is a difficult one, the general said, and it will be a slow process. "As far as recapitalization, we have to acquire and develop cost-effective weapons systems," he said. "We know we can make combat-effective weapons systems, but they also need to be cost-effective in today's environment. In addition to that, we need to sustain those new weapons systems, but more important than that, we're going to be forced to sustain for decades ahead the legacy weapons we do have. We can't replace everything as fast as we'd like, so we have to continue to figure out new and creative ways of sustaining our existing aircraft."

Although these challenges are daunting, General Hoffman said he was impressed by the professionalism and dedication of the Airmen he has seen.

"You're a part of the world's best air force," he said. "It's due to the talents, skills and dedication of all the folks on the Air Force team. It's really great to come out here and see how the greatest Air Force in the world fits into the joint and coalition context." Specifically addressing AFMC Airmen, General Hoffman wanted to assure them that every level of leadership was looking out for them and their families.

"We appreciate your sacrifice and the contribution to our nation," he said. "Rest assured your families are in good hands back home. We're willing to do anything it takes to make your families comfortable and secure while you're deployed forward."