18th Air Force commander visits WOTN

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachel Waller
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Lt. Gen. Robert Allardice, 18th Air Force commander, visited with Airmen from Grand Forks Air Force Base Sept. 16 -17.

General Allardice visited the Warriors of the North to witness firsthand the base's air refueling mission before it transitions to an Unmanned Aerial Systems mission.

"This is a great opportunity for me to fly with the men and women of Grand Forks," said General Allardice.

After his flight, General Allardice held an all-call with the 319th Operations Group. At the all-call, General Allardice spoke about what the base can expect after the air refueling mission is complete.

"There are going to be challenges here," said General Allardice. "Units will be closing down, Airmen are going to be moving on and the Airmen left here are going to be challenged to sustain their mission during the transition period."

General Allardice spoke to some of the Airmen that will be left here and they are "very enthusiastic and ready to tackle the challenges ahead."

Before General Allardice departed, he had an opportunity to have breakfast with a few of the wing's exceptional Airmen. There, General Allardice explained to them how they affect the war efforts down range.

"We have several different missions in the Air Force," said General Allardice. "At Grand Forks, Airmen are deploying to support either an expeditionary or joint mission over in the area of responsibility. Each aircraft assigned to Grand Forks made a greater contribution last year than any other KC-135 units under my command. That is something to proud of."

General Allardice also took the visit as an opportunity to thank the men and women of Grand Forks AFB.

"In this time of war, if you are in uniform, you volunteered to put the uniform on, to support and defend the United States and to serve our country," said General Allardice. "After passing basic training and becoming an Airman, you are committed to a team, a world class team, performing a great service to America, to that, I say thank you."

As General Allardice departed the base, he spoke of future plans to come back and visit.

"I can't wait to come back," said General Allardice. "My wife, Susan and I are committed to coming back in the dead of winter."