Grand Forks CAF initiatives highlighted for AMC commander Published Jan. 18, 2011 By Master Sgt. Joseph "Kap" Kapinos 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr., Air Mobility Command commander, visited with members of the Grand Forks Air Force Base Community Action Information Board during a meeting to discuss the Comprehensive Airman Fitness program Jan. 7. The meeting was the first opportunity many of the board members had to showcase both the initiatives and successes with the commander who started the program in July, 2010. "CAF reflects our commitment to developing a holistic approach to caring about people that equips, enables and empowers everyone to grow more physically, socially, mentally and spiritually fit," said General Johns. "It's not another program, but rather, a means to enhance mission effectiveness by intentionally investing in one another." During the two-hour meeting, several CAIB members briefed the general and the wing commander, Col. Don Shaffer, on the successes the wing has had in incorporating CAF initiatives. These included providing snow blowers for squadrons to assist the spouses of deployed members remove snow from their driveways, as well as revamping the deployment briefing process to include a new package containing important support information sent directly to the spouse by the squadron. "It is my intention to incorporate more than programs or tools to aid our spouses and Airmen," said Colonel Shaffer. "Our goal is to find away to best utilize the tools and programs together, not separately, in order to effectively implement our initiatives. Neither is effective if we don't know how to use them properly." The meeting was effective for other reasons as noted by one of the visitors, as it gave senior AMC leaders a chance to see what is taking place in the wings, something they are not often privy to at command. "We are very appreciative of the opportunity to come to your base; visit with your Airmen and see how you wing is taking care of them on a daily basis," said Colonel Steven Beatty, Director of Manpower, Personnel, and Services for AMC. In his closing remarks before the group, General Johns emphasized his commitment to taking care of both Airmen and their families, especially during this period of continuing and lengthening deployments. "To me, I feel it is important that we continue to follow up with the families even after the Airmen goes out the door," said General Johns. "It is the month after the member leaves that the stress hits. We need to all understand the importance of following up with the family and making that human to human contact." "That could make all the difference to both the Airman and their spouse," he said.