ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, commander of Air Education and Training Command, visited Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, with his wife, Maureen, Aug. 31 through Sept. 1, 2022.
During their visit, the Robinsons spoke with Airmen from across the 97th Air Mobility Wing and community leaders to learn about the wing’s mission and day-to-day operations, to include training and flying the KC-46 Pegasus.
"You are part of the greatest air force in the world, and your role is crucial," said Robinson. "Thank you for all the work you do, regardless of your specialty, you make sure we deliver the finest Airmen and the most capable Airmen for the United States of America."
Robinson emphasized the importance of Altus’ mobility mission as well as their charge to train “inspired, proficient, and adaptive mobility warriors.”
"Your role and mission enable the United States of America’s status as a superpower because, with it, we can project airpower anywhere, anytime in the world. That does not happen without mobility,” he said. “You need mobility to execute on time—quickly and decisively. You need mobility to sustain the fight.”
Maj. Curtis Sinewe, 97th AMW commander’s action group chief, said Robinson’s time at AAFB was valuable because of the boots-on-ground perspective it gave the general, and because it helped individual Airmen understand their role in both local and broader mission sets.
“Having Lt. Gen. Robinson here and tapping into his wisdom and breadth of experience is an amazing opportunity,” he said. "It’s a chance to showcase our Airmen and the valuable mission capability we here at the 97th Air Mobility Wing bring to the fight. Also, our Airmen get to see how their tactical expertise and individual career fields impact the strategic goals and direction of AETC, the Air Force, the Department of Defense and the United States at large.”
Mrs. Robinson’s tour included various quality of life facilities for Airmen and their families, including the 97th Medical Group, child development center, base housing, Airman dormitories and the military spouse co-working space.
Before departing, Robinson held an all-call at Hangar 517 to speak with Airmen about how the mission of the 97th AMW is crucial to the larger Air Force as a whole.
“It’s easy to get lost in the daily tasks, but power projection at the speed and pace that we project it doesn’t happen without air mobility,” said Robinson. “The United States of America is not a superpower without the ability to project power via the air. Never forget – that is what you are creating here.”