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18th AF commander, command chief make official visit to Scott AFB

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jake Eckhardt
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Charting a path to continued success in an uncertain strategic and fiscal environment was one of the key themes of a recent visit by the 18th Air Force commander here Dec. 2.

Lt. Gen. Mark Ramsay, accompanied by Chief Master Sgt. Jeff Williams, 18th Air Force command chief, spoke to about 300 wing Airmen at an all call after a day-long visit that included meetings with wing leadership and tours of wing work centers.

Ramsay shared his thoughts about leading in today's operational environment and successfully dealing with challenges and opportunities in our Air Force to include dealing with smaller budgets. He asked Airmen to stay educated on the topic and to realize that there is an ongoing national debate about resources which is critical to our future national security.

"That's why I want you to be the best Airmen you can be, because in the end, all we can control is who we are and who we become. We have great programs in place, like tuition assistance, and I recommend you complete appropriate military education and advanced degrees. You need to take advantage of all of the professional and educational development opportunities to be the best Airman you can be."

Ramsay compared today's Air Force to his experiences from 20 years ago when the military underwent a series of reductions following the end of the Cold War. "When we look at history, about every 20 years we have a shift in strategy and resources. We are in a period of change right now. We have adapted to major shifts before, and this cycle will produce more major shifts to deal with the ever-changing global security environment."

He said the Air Force's job is to support national leadership and combatant commanders by providing them with the means to execute our national security in air, space and cyberspace. His focus is aimed squarely at our air mobility force readiness and execution.

"We have the best military in the world in five domains: air, land, sea, cyber, and space. In the future, we are going to have fewer resources," said Ramsay, adding that senior Air Force leadership is "committed to making sure we continue to have the most capable air, space and cyberspace force in the world."