Gen. McNabb visits base to "thank Airmen"

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ashley Coomes
  • Public affairs
Grand Forks AFB, ND --  "Well, it's not your aircraft or ships or weapons - we have all that. You're enlisted core is unlike anything we could imagine. If we were to face you in war -- that is where we would lose." 

Gen. Duncan McNabb, Air Mobility Command commander, began his all call here by recounting a conversation he had with Russian generals when they were asked what they thought of the United States military. 

During General McNabb's visit Sept. 13 and 14, he toured the base to get the Airmen's perspective and wanted to see how the base executes the mission and how business can be done better. He was especially interested in how Air Force Smart Operations 21 is being implemented in daily operations to achieve sustained excellence. 

"If our Airmen are our most precious resource, we should find a way to eliminate wasting their time," he said. "We do have a lot for the Airmen to do, there isn't any room for waste. You have already cut 27 percent of the time it takes to perform an ISO. The Airmen's time is very valuable." 

The all call was not just about AFSO 21 and an evolving Air Force, it was about recognizing Airmen for their sacrifice and willingness to serve the country. General McNabb re-enlisted four Warriors of the North in front of their peers. 

While General McNabb focused on the Airmen, Mrs. Linda McNabb, spent her time at with the spouses and families talking about the Phoenix Spouse network. 

"This is a standardized program to help [AMC] bases' already existing Key Spouse program. They can take what they need for their individual base and disseminate the information and resources to the families," she said. 

"This will work to strengthen the families especially when dealing with stresses such as the current wartime deployment," she said. 

Gen. and Mrs. McNabb were also given a tour of the Greater Grand Forks community and had the opportunity to meet with several honorary commanders and ambassadors. General McNabb was able to see the teamwork and mutual respect that has fostered between the base and the community. 

"I always come away from a visit like this more inspired because of the great heroes individually but, even more importantly, collectively," he said.
During his visit, the Airmen here, demonstrated what they bring to the fight and the wingman mentality. 

"What I came here to say to the Warriors of the North, is thank you for all that you do," he said.