COMUSAFE visits 501st Combat Support Wing

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kristina Barrett
  • 501st Combat Support Wing Public Affairs
RAF ALCONBURY, United Kingdom --  Commander of U.S. Forces in Europe, Gen. Mark Welsh, visited 501st Combat Support Wing bases during his first visit to the United Kingdom since taking command just over a month ago.

Chief Master Sgt. David Williamson, USAFE command chief, and the general toured Royal Air Force bases Alconbury, Molesworth, Croughton and Fairford as part of their orientation to the command and familiarization of the wing's diverse mission.

During commander's calls held at the base theaters at Alconbury and Croughton, the general spoke about the importance of each Airman within the wing.

You are critically important to the job USAFE does," General Welsh explained. "You provide creative, innovative solutions to what you do every day...We all have jobs to do. They are all difficult but we are all good at them."

The general also spoke of the importance of family - the Air Force family and the families into which each Airman was born. He shared the history and future of his own family and told Airmen "you are the heritage of your family."

Chief Williamson praised 501st Airmen for being a part of a "one-of-a-kind wing," and highlighted the impact they have not only across the Air Force today, but on the future as well.

"What you do today has an impact years down the road," he said. "The first Airmen had an effect on the world we grew up in, and you will have an effect on the future Airmen."

After each commander's call, the general and chief spent several minutes answering the questions of those attending. Questions ranged from readiness issues to the proposed defense budget cuts and the effect those cuts will have within USAFE.

General Welsh and Chief Williamson spent two days with the wing, making the arduous trek between bases and experiencing the 'tyranny of distance' that challenges Airmen across the wing.

In all, they were able to see a majority of the wing's varied missions supporting U.S., U.K. and allied forces in Britain.