CMSgt. of the Air Force visits Grand Forks AFB

Published July 16, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Rachel Martinez
319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy visited with the Warriors of the North July 14 to 16.

Chief Roy met with Airmen from the 319th Air Refueling Wing and toured base facilities, which allowed him to witness first-hand how Grand Forks Air Force Base is preparing for the transition to its new unmanned aerial systems mission.

The visit began with a mission briefing from Col. Don Shaffer, 319th ARW commander, and continued with stops at the 905th Air Refueling Squadron, base honor guard, 319th Security Forces Squadron, 319th Medical Group, 319th Communications Squadron and 319th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

Regardless of the location, the chief noted that all the Airmen were mission-oriented and expressed his gratitude for what they do.

"Our Airmen today are absolutely focused on fighting our mission," said Chief Roy. "I want our Airmen to know they are making a difference; a difference in the security of our nation. They are also making a difference in the quality of life for people in other nations as well."

Chief Roy also had the chance to watch as the wing recognized a few of its exceptional Airmen and civilians during the base's quarterly awards ceremony.

The chief said he believes that all Airmen, not just the ones that were recognized, are helping build a better Air Force for the future.

"Sixty-six percent of the total Air Force enlisted after 9/11," said Chief Roy. "This tells us that many, if not most of them, have a sense of patriotism. The fact that they would serve in their nation's military during a time of war knowing the potential for danger is very high says something about the character of these individuals. And it is these individuals that continue to shape our Air Force in a positive light."

After a lunch with the first sergeants, Chief Roy held an All-Call to meet the rest of the wing and discuss his priorities as the Air Force's top enlisted official. Those priorities include being ready for joint and coalition operations, deliberately developing our Airmen, and building resilient Airmen and families.

A question from the audience shifted the topic of discussion to deployments. Chief Roy explained that supporting Airmen, and their families, who are deployed to overseas contingency operations is very important to him. And that we need to focus on helping those Airmen who may experience traumatic or stressful experiences while performing their duties.

"Combat Airman resiliency is kind of new terminology to us, but it's something we really need to focus on," he said.

However, Chief Roy also informed the Airmen that our mission in Iraq and Afghanistan is ongoing and that the Air Force's presence will remain strong to help Iraq continue to recover.

The All-Call ended and Airmen left with a little more knowledge.

"I'm glad I had the chance to hear Chief Roy speak," Senior Airman Chris Waller, 319th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. "I feel like I have better understanding of certain Air Force issues."

The last stop on Chief Roy's visit was a question-and-answer breakfast at the Airey Dining Facility with some of the wing's non-commissioned officers and senior non-commissioned officers.

"It was nice to express my concerns as an NCO to the chief master sergeant of the Air Force in a relaxed atmosphere," said Tech. Sgt. Terri L. Trujillo, 319th Medical Operations Squadron.

As he departed the base, Chief Roy added, "It was a great opportunity for me to visit Grand Forks and meet the many fine Airmen here that are doing a superb mission, which is directly influencing the battle space downrange."