AL DHAFRA AIR BASE, United Arab Emirates -- U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Richard Scobee, commander of Air Force Reserve Command, and Chief Master Sgt. Ericka Kelly, command chief of AFRC, visited deployed Air Force active duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve personnel at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 13, 2019.
“I’ve spent my time in the Air Force as an aviator and I have loved that role, but the thing I’ve enjoyed most is working with Airmen at every level,” said Scobee.
Both leaders spent several days visiting deployed service members across the U. S. Central Command area of responsibility, recognizing top-performing Airmen and extending their thanks to all service members and their families for their sacrifice. They made their stop at Al Dhafra Air Base to meet with deployed Reserve Citizen Airmen coming from bases across the globe to support the CENTCOM mission.
“It’s important that you know we care about you, and we appreciate you, and we appreciate your families,” said Kelly. “We want you and your families to want to continue serving our Air Force, and we feel that our job is to ensure we support you in making that happen.”
In addition to offering thanks, the general and command chief also learned the latest about the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing’s mission, installation initiatives, and the Airmen who make it all happen.
The AFRC leaders met Airmen from the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight, 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron, Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadrons and the ADAB Chaplain Corps.
“This is what I need from all of you,” said Scobee to a group of Reserve Citizen Airmen. “I need people who are good at their jobs and love what they do. I need people who want to be here and who want to do great work. It’s up to us to create an organization where people want to serve and feel that their contributions are of value. That’s what I want for everyone who comes to the Air Force Reserve.”
On any given day, nearly 6,000 Air Force Reservists are serving on active duty worldwide. Throughout their day at ADAB, Scobee and Kelly provided opportunities for reservists to ask them questions, receive feedback, and be thanked for their service as Citizen Airmen.
“I wish that others could see this Air Force and our Airmen from our perspective,” said Scobee. “I’m always amazed at the great work done by the men and women of our Air Force Reserve.”
For nearly 70 years, Reserve Citizen Airmen have been the cornerstone of U.S. Air Force national defense by providing combat-ready forces to meet the needs of combatant commanders around the world.