AMC commander visits Grand Forks AFB

  • Published
  • By 319th Air Refueling Wing
  • Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr., commander of Air Mobility Command, arrived at Grand Forks Air Force Base Feb. 10 for a base visit. The trip provided him the opportunity to meet with Airmen and see the mission first hand.

"Thank you for letting me come up here and be part of this wonderful wing," said General Johns while speaking to Airmen here. "Spending the day with you is phenomenal."

"Bottom-line, what you do matters," said General Johns while speaking to Airmen. "Each of us is part of a larger narrative and we all need to do a better job of telling our Air Force story to the public."

The general's visit kicked off with Col. Don Shaffer, 319th Air Refueling Wing commander, presenting the Grand Forks mission briefing and discussing future wing plans and the superior relationship the base has with the local community.

Because of extreme weather conditions - common in North Dakota and prevalent the days of the visit - General Johns participated in a "virtual" tour using power point and computer images to showcase locations of interest, such as the new control tower, and afforded the general a clear look at the layout and facilities on base.

After an awards presentation recognizing the bioenvironmental team and their field grade officer of the year, Maj. Joanna Rentes, the general continued his base visit with the Grand Forks AFB Honor Guard. He expressed his appreciation for their service and dedication to the special duty.

On the second day of his visit, General Johns greeted base chief master sergeants and first sergeants during breakfast at the Airey Dining Facility. The general then met with Airmen from the 319th Maintenance Group and 319th Air Refueling Squadron.

General Johns also met with base company grade officers before joining the rest of the 319th Air Refueling Wing for an All Call. During the assembly of Airmen, the general stressed global vigilance, global reach and global power, and he thanked the members of the 319th ARW for their roles in that mission. "No one does it better," the general said.

At the conclusion of the All Call, General Johns praised Airmen for their support of the community outside of the gates.

"Grand Forks AFB enjoys a special relationship with the community. I understand this even more after hearing the emotional stories of how your Airmen opened up their homes to complete strangers during the '97 flood. As Airmen, we may come and go but the community remembers," said General Johns.