AMC commander visits Warriors of the North Published April 17, 2008 By Tech Sgt. Joseph V. Kapinos 319 Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Gen. Arthur Lichte, commander of Air Mobility Command, lauded the spirit, ingenuity and positive attitude displayed among 319th Air Refueling Wing Airmen, as he visited the Warriors of the North here, April 9-10. "Our people continue to amaze me. Young Airmen are constantly coming up with more and better ideas on how to do the mission more effectively and using techniques from Air Force Smart Operations to make working in the Air Force better," said General Lichte. "I am also amazed at the great attitude and spirit that Airmen here at Grand Forks have - they know they're having a positive impact and they're proud to be in the fight." The general also spoke of the importance of acquiring the new tanker, which remains the Air Force's top acquisition priority. The mobility commander said although he believes the current Eisenhower-era KC-135s to be a safe, effective and capable aircraft, the time has come to get the newest generation of Air Force tankers from the production line to the flight line as soon as possible. "It's critical that we start with that now. For me, it's a national security issue," said General Lichte. General Lichte toured various facilities around the base, recognizing Airmen who demonstrated exemplary performance by presenting each with a commander's coin. Among those recognized were the "Vipers" of the 912th Air Refueling Squadron, who recently won the General Carl Spaatz Award and whose squadron was named "Best Air Refueling Squadron" in AMC. "I want all the Airmen to know they are living in a great place, they are performing a great mission, they are loved by the community, by Air Mobility Command and by the Air Force," said General Lichte.