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19th AF commander visits Altus

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Seidl
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla --  Maj. Gen. Gregory Feest, 19th Air Force commander, flew a C-17 mission as part of his to Altus AFB July 7-8.

"Obviously, the mission here is very important to the United States Air Force and to our coalition partners because all C-17 and KC-135 training is done here for the pilots and aircrews," General Feest said. "Without tankers and airlift we're not going to go anywhere or do anything, and it's not only our service, it's all the services. So the mission here is one of the most important we have in 19th Air Force."

During his visit, the general met with 97th Air Mobility Wing leadership and local Altus community leaders, walked through Altus training facilities and flew in a C-17 simulator prior to flying the mission.

"It amazed me the first time I went to an Air Education and Training Command Symposium -- the Altus Military Affairs Committee were the first to have a booth," General Feest said citing an example of the relationship and culture of innovation flourishing between the city of Altus and Altus AFB. "Now others have followed in their footsteps. They really take care of the Airmen and their families."

On the second day of his visit, the general met with wing leadership and had lunch at the Solar Inn with Altus Airmen. During lunch, he answered questions on topics such as physical fitness testing, and the increasing automation of functions that were previously staffed, such as finance and personnel jobs. The general and others leadership discussed the improvements to the base they've seen in the short time since last winter's ice storm.
"I was here right after the ice storm, and I noticed how the base has totally resurrected itself and it looks great. All the pavement, taxiways and everything that is being done to make the ramp space bigger and to make it easier to taxi these heavy aircraft are going to be great too; there is a lot going on here and a lot more to come!" General Feest said.

Asked about what other changes might be coming, he said, "I think that this base is big enough that other missions could come in here. I think it would be a great location for the KC-X (but again I'm not one of those decision makers)," General Feest said. "The Canadians have been coming in here with their CF-18s, I hear the Navy wants to bring in a mission here, and the MC-12W is an option. I think those are all possibilities here and that Altus AFB would do a great job supporting those missions as well.

"I just want to thank everybody here at Altus for what they do training our aircrews on the C-17s and KC-135s," the general said. "Again, that's a very important mission and I appreciate what they do every day. You went through a very, very difficult winter with the Haiti Operation and the ice storm yet the Program Flight Training that's accomplished here is ahead of track." said General Feest.

General Feest has commanded the 19th since July 2008. He has been selected for reassignment as Air Force Chief of Safety, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington D.C., and Commander, Air Force Safety Center, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M