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Wing shows how it enables combat power: 18th AF commander visit

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Amber Kelly-Woodward
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Members of the 375th Airlift Wing rallied to show how they enable combat power during an official visit from the 18th Air Force commander March 17. 

Maj. Gen. Winfield W. Scott III, along with his wife, Kathy, and 18th AF Command Chief Master Sergeant James Cody, met with numerous Airmen throughout the wing to see first-hand how the work done here helps him meet and execute all air mobility missions. 

General Scott began his day early by meeting with the wing's young enlisted Airmen for breakfast at the award-winning Nightingale Inn Dining Facility, followed by a wing mission briefing overview and then to the 375th Medical Group to view $45 million worth of renovations and receive updates on health care initiatives. 

Renovations for the hospital facility include fixing the heating and cooling systems, collocating similar services, creating a more functional working environment for the staff and better waiting facilities for patients. One of the big successes for the medical group is the Family Healthcare Initiative that provides patients with the same healthcare provider team to ensure a continuity of care throughout their assignment here. 

"There's a lot to what I'm seeing," said General Scott. "But what I'm seeing the most is the hard work and dedication of the Airmen here." 

The Public Health and Deployment Health clinics showed how the process improvements they've made and the work they do ensure that Airmen who are sent forward to the deployed locations have zero percent return due to medical reasons. 

"This is truly amazing," said General Scott. "Our mission is to put troops to the fight and that's what you are doing." 

Aeromedical Staging Facility staff members highlighted how the wing uses a special ramp to carry patients from a helicopter dock to the hospital floor easily, and showcased patient rooms that have been adopted by several organizations on base, which is a big hit for the hundreds of patients who come through Scott's facility each year. 

Members from the 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron demonstrated the Meti Man, which is still relatively new to the Air Force. The Meti Man is a patient simulator that can be controlled by an operator who designs traumatic care scenarios for medical technician training. 

The wing has selected upgrades to the James Gym as its No. 1 quality of life program initiative should funding become available since it receives more than 800 customers a day and is in need of expansion and additional equipment. General Scott was also briefed on how the wing's newest Airmen live in the college-like atmosphere of the new dorms and campus area, and how Scott supports the Air Force Communications Control Center, which underwent $5 million of upgrades and enables communication for Air Mobility Command. 

Interoperability with local first responders and working with Reserve and Guard partners are key focus areas for the wing which were highlighted as well as the chapel initiatives, air control tower training improvements and efforts throughout the wing to develop its future leaders through the First Term Airman's Center and Airman Leadership School.
"The cream will rise to the top, so do the best you can, and you will be recognized," told General Scott to students during his visit. 

While the general spent the day focused on mission capabilities, Mrs. Scott devoted much of her time with family support venues and spoke at length with spouses about issues affecting them. She toured the child development centers, education center, Airman's Attic, the base library and the Airman and Family Readiness Center. 

Mrs. Scott said throughout the tour that she felt everyone should remember that the Air Force has come a long way with how it has developed its support systems and programs for families. She asked that every effort should be made to educate families on the benefits, opportunities and programs available for them. 

Col. Gary Goldstone, the 375th Airlift Wing commander, added, that "we can't be fully successful in our core mission sets if we don't have a healthy support system for our people. We devoted much of our time showcasing our successes throughout the wing, but we also discussed the challenges associated with growth, manpower reductions, and training requirements, for example. 

"It took a tremendous amount of effort to provide briefings, information and demonstrations, and of course there were many who worked behind the scenes to make it successful. Thank you all for enabling combat power not just during a command visit, but every day!"