12th Air Force commander visiting 3rd Herd

Published Sept. 14, 2007
By Darren D. Heusel
Tinker Air Force Base Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- The 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern commander will arrive at Tinker Air Force Base today to visit with Airmen of the 3rd Combat Communications Group.
   During his visit, Lt. Gen. Norman Seip is expected to have lunch with 3rd CCG officers and take a brief tour of 3rd Herd facilities before addressing all group members at the base theater.
   "Lt. Gen. Seip is a great leader and friend of the 3rd Herd and we always welcome any opportunity to meet with him, show off our tremendous Airmen and gain from his invaluable experience as a combat leader," said Lt. Col. Alan R. Berry, 3rd CCG deputy commander.
   As the 12th Air Force/AFSOUTH commander, stationed at Davis-Mothan Air Force Base, Ariz., Gen. Seip oversees Air Force assets, five forward operating locations, and civil and military engagements in Central and South America as well as the Caribbean.
   The general is also responsible for the operational readiness of 12th Air Force-gained wings of the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard, including an additional 18,800 personnel and more than 200 aircraft.
   Twelfth Air Force comprises seven active duty wings and three direct reporting units in the western and Midwestern United States. The fighter and bomber wings possess 400 aircraft and more than 33,000 active duty military and civilian personnel.
   The three direct reporting units -- the 3rd CCG, 820th Red Horse Squadron and 1st Air Support Operations Group -- comprise more than 1,200 personnel.
   Gen. Seip entered the Air Force following his graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1974. He has commanded two squadrons, an operations group and a wing.
   The general also served as an exchange officer with the U.S. Navy, serving with VF-41 onboard the USS Nimitz, and in key positions during tours with Air Combat Command, the Air Staff and Joint Staff.
   Gen. Seip is a command pilot with more than 4,500 flying hours, primarily in fighter aircraft. He flew the F-15E in support of operations Southern and Northern Watch and Iraqi Freedom.
   As the deputy Combined Forces Air Component commander for U.S. Central Command, the general had a direct impact in supporting combat operations in Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.
   Gen. Seip has been in his current position since July 2006.