KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, commander of Air Education and Training Command, his wife, Mrs. Maureen Robinson, and Chief Master Sgt. Chad Bickley, AETC command chief, visited members of the 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, Sept. 20-21, 2023.
The team was provided demonstrations and briefings as they toured Kirtland to take a closer look at the 58th Special Operations Wing’s mission. This wing provides an array of training for special operators, to include undergraduate, graduate, and refresher aircrew training for special operations, as well as personnel recovery and missile site support training.
“Air Education and Training Command is part of an ecosystem to train and develop Airmen from all units,” Robinson said. “Visiting the special operators of the 58th SOW and understanding the training requirements for the unique mission set is critical to ensure the future fight is won.”
Among the units visited was the aircraft metals technology shop, where 58th Maintenance Squadron Airmen showcased their ability to innovate to the benefit of the total force.
“Having higher command come down to our shop brings a sense of pride,” said Senior Airman Isaiah Peabody, 58th Maintenance Squadron metal technologies technician. “It’s great to see higher headquarters leadership take the time to come down and see what our shop is about, and what we do.”
The command team also hosted an all-call where topics, such as the importance of combat readiness, Airman resilience, and their correlation to the pacing challenge, were discussed. The team fielded questions on training, resources, multi-capable Airmen, agile combat employment, recruiting numbers, healthcare, and enlisted force development.
“Learning more about the training mission that these dedicated professionals are tasked with every day is inspirational,” Bickley said. “It makes me extremely proud to see how we are developing today’s force to be ready for any adversary that we may face.”
Meanwhile, Mrs. Robinson spent time with the members from the Military and Family Readiness Center, where she spoke with key spouses and visited the Gibson Child Development Center and the crafts, outdoor recreation and entertainment center. Quality of life initiatives, as well as military spouse importance to their family and the military, were key topics of discussion.
“Getting up close and learning more about programs that are focused on Airmen and their families is always special to me,” Mrs. Robinson said. “It’s very easy to see that taking care of Airmen and their families is a priority.”
The 58th SOW includes more than 2,200 Airmen where 118 courses are taught to about 15,000 students annually.
“Visiting units who are working on the line, is food for the soul for us,” the general said.