New AFMC commander visits Kirtland

  • Published
  • By Jim Fisher
  • Kirtland Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  New Air Force Materiel Command Commander Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski visited AFMC units June 17 and 18, marking her first stop at Kirtland since taking command June 8.

The general previously served at Kirtland as the director of the Airborne Laser Program from 2000 to 2005 and later commanded the Air Force Research Laboratory from its headquarters at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.

She told Airmen assembled at an all-call June 17 she was happy to be making Kirtland her first stop as AFMC commander.

"From a personal perspective, Kirtland and Albuquerque are near and dear to my heart," the general said. "I spent five years here--the longest period I was ever stationed in one place. After about the first six months here, I fell in love with the place. And even though I left in 2005, I never really got too far away from Kirtland."

Pawlikowski went on to a position at the Space and Missile Systems Center, which has elements at Kirtland, and now commands AFMC. She leads the parent command for Kirtland's host 377th Air Base Wing, two Air Force Research Laboratory directorates, the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center and many of the base's other mission partners.

Pawlikowski explained how AFMC supports the warfighter in myriad aspects, also discussing the nuclear enterprise, technology, agility, efficiency and resiliency and how these relate to executing the AFMC mission. She said since taking command, and beginning her tenure with the Corona Top senior leadership conference June 10, she has spent more time in discussion about the nuclear enterprise and technology, making a trip to Kirtland a natural next step.

"So you can see that I had to come and put eyes on what everybody was talking about," Pawlikowski said.

She went on to explain that the Nuclear Weapons Center was a key to the "foundation of national security."

"The foundation of our national security doesn't happen without the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center," the general said. "The nuclear game is not one where you want to have any uncertainty on the part of adversaries about our capability and our preparedness. If the Nuclear Weapons Center doesn't do their job, the foundation of our national security is at risk."

The ongoing reorganization of the center should be seen as a vote of confidence, Pawlikowski said.

"It is truly a testament to your capabilities that the Air Force continues to look to Kirtland to be our center of focus for the nuclear enterprise and trust that you will continue to keep our nuclear deterrent safe and secure," she said.

Discussing research and development, the general explained that every warfighter in the field trusts the Air Force's ability to project airpower and air superiority, including command and control, when making battlefield decisions.

"It is critical for our national security that Air Force Materiel Command continues to execute its mission, because what we do supports all those young Americans--Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coastguardsmen--who put themselves in harm's way in the belief that that command and control system is going to work. That young American counts on the fact that you do your job every day," Pawlikowski said.

The general also gave Team Kirtland some insight into her family life and career track, emphasizing that resiliency and the need for a good wingman was something that applied to Airmen of all ranks. When her husband and sister died in 2010, she detailed how the care of a good wingman got her through a rough period.

"Even two-star generals need a wingman once in a while," Pawlikowski said. "We all need wingmen. There are times in our lives when things happen and as much as we try to prepare ourselves, (we need help). I made it through that very difficult time with the help of my wingman and my Air Force family."

In addition to the all-call, the general visited the AFNWC, AFRL, and the Bulk Fuels Facility Pump and Treat station.