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18th Air Force commander visits Travis AFB

  • Published
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 60th Air Mobility Wing is doing outstanding work, according to Lt. Gen. William Welser III, 18th Air Force commander, who visited here Feb. 9 through 10.

General Welser accepted command of the newly re-established 18th Air Force Dec. 1, and is in the process of visiting all 18th Air Force units.

This is the general's second visit to Travis since becoming the 18th Air Force commander. His first visit was with the 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force in December.

This visit focused on the 60th Air Mobility Wing, to include stops at the Air Traffic Control Tower, Hangar 818, passenger terminal, as well as a driving tour of the flightline, aerial port and other portions of the base. He also spoke during a luncheon attended by group and squadron commanders, then presided over a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Deployment Control Center. He held an afternoon commander's call at the base theater, and later met with more than 20 civic leaders.

Throughout his visit, the general noted the stellar efforts of Travis people in accomplishing the mission. His wife, Sue, shared his view.

Mrs. Welser met with other spouses in the morning, and then toured several family-centered facilities. Mrs. Welser toured the Family Support Center, Fisher House, hospital maternity suite, Teleradiology lab, women's imaging center and Child Development Center 3. Mrs. Welser said she was "impressed" with the many professionals she met and how Travis takes care of families.

During his commander's call, General Welser explained how taking care of the "Air Force family" is critical to the success of the 18th Air Force warfighting mission.

He spoke to a packed auditorium of more than 800 people. "If we're going to be a warfighting team, I'd like to think of us as a warfighting family," he said. "We're an Air Force family. Look around - these are your brothers and sisters in uniform. We need to look out for each other."

He also stressed the importance of core values - on and off duty. "Integrity is our number one core value" he said. "Core values - and the oath of office - is what the warfighting family is all about."

He said "selfless service" and "excellence" are also essential core values, which were epitomized by the exceptional efforts of the 60th Maintenance Group to repair Travis' last C-5 cannibalization aircraft (also called a "canned bird") in 2003.

"To be able to eliminate a cann bird is an incredible accomplishment," said General Welser. He further stated this is the sort of dedication and innovation needed in today's Air Force from the lowest to the highest ranks.

On that note, he lauded the entire wing for outstanding work year-round.

"The awards you've won and the outstanding things you do for your Air Force are well known," he said. "There are people free today in the world because of your sacrifice and dedication.

"I'm so proud to be the commander of the 18th Air Force warfighting family. I guarantee I will do everything I can to make this a warfighting family that's war fit -- while having fun."

After visiting Travis, he traveled to Fairchild AFB, Wash., and then to McChord AFB, Wash.

As 18th Air Force commander, General Welser oversees 12 wings, three AMC groups, two Expeditionary Mobility Task Forces, four Air Mobility Operations Groups, and the Tanker Airlift Control Center -- representing Air Mobility Command's centralized warfighting capabilities.

RELATED LINK:

Lt. Gen. William Welser III biography http://www.af.mil/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7549