AETC Commander visits Kirtland Air Force Base

  • Published
  • By Stefan Bocchino
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Kirtland Air Force Base --  The commander of Air Education and Training Command, Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr., visited the 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland Air Force Base July 13 and 14.
This was General Rice's first visit to Kirtland AFB since taking command of AETC Nov. 17, 2010.
"I've actually been looking forward for some time to this visit," said General Rice. "I was born here at Kirtland."
General Rice, who was accompanied by Chief Master Sgt. James A. Cody, AETC command chief, said he was very impressed with the work performed by the men and women of the 58 SOW.
"The mission here is very important to the United States Air Force and it's a very important part to the AETC enterprise," said the general. "What I was able to see here were people who understand the importance of that mission and I think what impressed me most was the innovation I saw here."
The general said he saw people taking what they have and putting it together using innovative thinking to get the mission done.
The general also spoke to his priorities as the commander of AETC.
"My first priority is to continue, across our enterprise, to get the mission done every day," said General Rice. "I look at how we're recruiting, training and educating. I look at the feedback we're getting from Airmen across the Air Force."
He also said that AETC needs to deliver Airmen to their commands with the necessary skills and expertise required to do the job. He said his number one job is to ensure AETC has excellence across the board in their training, education and recruiting programs.
"So we look at the future and how the environment is changing in terms of how people learn," said General Rice. "The way generations before learned are different from how future generations will learn and we have to be prepared for that."
General Rice also had some advice for Airmen. He said Airmen need to maintain their focus on the mission and ensure that what they are asked to do is done to the best of their ability.
The general also discussed what he sees in the future for the 58 SOW.
"I think it's a strong and healthy future," said General Rice. "Everyone here knows we have a total force initiative underway and I think that's going to be a resounding success, because the people here will make it so."
He also said there would be a continuing need to conduct the training mission here for both rescue operations and the special operations forces. He said this is a great location because of the similarity of the environment to many locations around the world where Airmen have to operate. The weather is also a factor. There is very little rain and snow to contend with, and temperatures are conducive to the training that needs to be performed.
"I think the wing has a strong future here," said General Rice. "I look forward to doing all we can to help the members of the wing have the resources they need to do their job."
The general said he appreciated the time he spent visiting Kirtland AFB.
"I was able to get a good sense of the mission here and the people," said General Rice. "I would just encourage them to ensure that not only are they continuing to conduct the mission but they're safe over the summer. We're deep into the critical days of summer. I want everyone to have a wingman, use them, and ensure that we're looking out for each other and that we come out of the summer strong and with everybody happy and healthy."