It was our pleasure to host Chief Master Sgt. Robert Sealey, USAFCENT Command Chief. Chief Sealey visited with Airmen from several units of the 379th to share experiences and see what we bring to the fight. 

Here, Senior Airman Elyse Lindsay, 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron armament systems technician, explains the role of the armament backshop. Each and every one of you are extremely important to the mission—we wouldn’t be able to provide airpower to the fight without the support from a diverse mix of jobs, Airmen, and partners. 

We took time this week to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Pictured is Col. Randall Reed, 379th Expeditionary Operations Group commander, who delivered some powerful remarks about the legacy and contributions of King. The wing’s Black History Month committee hosted the ceremony as well as a barbecue, movie night, and basketball tournament. 

Ever wonder what it’s like to experience the bite of a military working dog?  Chief Harner and I got to step in the shoes of our military working dog handlers and trainers this week.  Pictured, Chief Harner smiles as he takes on Kichi, one of our military working dogs.

Here, Staff Sgt. Nicole Jensen, military working dog handler, releases her dog, Cindy, for an attack drill. Needless to say, we came away absolutely confident that, should we need this capability, these professional Airmen of the 379th Security Forces Squadron can effectively neutralize a threat. 

Thank you for another great week.  It is an honor to serve with you.

Brig Gen GI Tuck

Commander, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing

Happy Holidays from the desert!  While we’re busy as usual accomplishing the mission, we’re also taking time to celebrate the holidays with our ‘Grand Slam’ Wing family.

Santa Claus paid a surprise visit to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron to assist in an airdrop delivery to remote FOBs in Afghanistan.  Santa (portrayed by Tech. Sgt. Mike Morris, 816^th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron Loadmaster Flight NCOIC) assisted the men and women of the 816^th EAS as they delivered 160 barrels of fuel via C-17 which will be used for generators, vehicles and heaters.  Last month alone, the The 816th EAS transported about three million pounds of cargo and personnel to forward locations throughout Southwest Asia.  Click here to read more about Santa’s visit.

Our postal workers and volunteers worked long hours unloading and sorting hundreds of thousands of pounds of mail this holiday season – 48,000 pounds alone during a two-day stretch.  In the linked video, TSgt Ivan Abudo and SrA Alex Bedtelyon explain what goes into getting packages to servicemembers during the busiest season of the year.  This work couldn’t have been possible with the many volunteers who come in late at night – our thanks go out to all those who joined the 379th Expeditionary Communications Squadron Mail Control Activity to ensure packages were delivered as quickly as possible.

Chaplains play an important role in offering support to our deployed forces.  Chaplain (Maj.) Menashe Miller, here to provide spiritual services during the holiday season, has a unique background—he’s the mayor of Lakewood, N.J.  In the linked video, Staff Sgt. Kiemon Beard and Senior Master Sgt. Frank Guido explain more about getting to know Chaplain Miller during this season.

The 379th AEW celebrated the holiday season with a 10K Jingle Bell Run, a parade, comedians, feasts, and spiritual services for multiple faiths among several other festive events. Click here for more information about these and more events.

Thank you for another great week.  It is an honor to serve with you.

Brig. Gen. Giovanni Tuck

Commander, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing

Around the Wing: Dec. 15, 2011

Although 70 years have passed, the events of Dec. 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor still resonate with the men and women of the 379th.  Dr. Susan Dawson, the Wing Historian, did a wonderful job speaking at a remembrance luncheon as we honored those that sacrificed so much on that day.  Click here for more photos and information about the event.   

We had a fantastic time meeting the “Dirt Boyz” of the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron. We are joined here by Senior Airman Zachary Wiltse, Staff Sgt. Adam Haines, and Master Sgt. Kenneth Way, members of the Dirt Boyz: heavy-equipment operators who specialize in building and repairing sidewalks, roadways and runways.  These Airmen are doing wonderful work here and it was our pleasure to meet them and learn more about the important job they do. 

It’s important that we do what we can to make the holidays as special as possible.  It was an honor to participate in a tree lighting ceremony with 379 AEW members (front left) Master Sgt. Showna Gantt, (front right) Tech. Sgt. Yvonne Forsyth, and (rear right) Capt Sarah Freidel, among other members of the wing last week.  We all miss our families but rest assured that the sacrifices we are making don’t go unnoticed as we continue to perform our mission.  Please continue to look out for each other and take advantage of some of the wonderful things we have planned for the holidays.

 Thank you for another great week.  It is an honor to serve with you.

Brig. Gen. Giovanni Tuck

Commander, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing

On Nov. 11, 2011, U.S. and coalition forces deployed here gathered for a retreat ceremony to commemorate Veterans Day.  The ceremony included a reading of the poem “In Flanders Fields,” the lowering and folding of the American flag and a key note address by Air Commodore Ashley Stevenson, Air Officer Commanding 83 Expeditionary Air Group and United Kingdom Air Component Commander.  Click HERE for a story, photos and video from the ceremony.

An American tradition that stems from the World War I era is the displaying of a Blue Star Banner in the window of a home when a loved one is serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.  Today, the Blue Star Service Banner is a reminder that war touches every community.

According to The American Legion website, “The Blue Star Service Banner was designed and patented in 1917 by World War I Army Capt. Robert L. Queisser of the 5th Ohio Infantry.  Queisser’s two sons served on the front line.  His banner quickly became the unofficial symbol for parents with a child in active military service.”

The banners, which typically consist of one to five stars, were widely used during both world wars but were not embraced during the Korean or Vietnam wars, have seen an increase in visibility recently thanks to The American Legion’s efforts.  Each star on the banner represents one family member serving in the military.

For more information on the Blue Star Banner, click HERE.

This Thanksgiving, we are thankful for you, your families and friends and the sacrifices you’re making while serving our great country.  Click HERE for photos and video of our Thanksgiving festivities.  It is an honor to serve with you. 

Brig. Gen. Giovanni Tuck

Commander, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing

On Oct. 18, 2011, the Company Grade Officers Council held their monthly professional development luncheon which was great to attend with our Vice Wing Commander, Col. Kevin Kennedy.  We discussed the importance of balance between the personal and professional aspects of our lives and how we achieve that balance over the course of a career.  We encourage Airmen of all ranks to be involved in our community and joining a professional organization is one avenue.

On Oct. 20, 2011, we presented the 34th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit with the “Knuckle buster” award for their excellent performance and dedication to the mission in the month of September.  The officer in charge of the 34 EAMU is Capt. Randall Turner.

On Oct. 21, 2011, Congressman Jack Kingston (R-GA) visited us and had lunch with a group of Airmen from various career fields and organizations on the base.  Congressman Kingston serves on the Defense Subcommittee which oversees all military-based funding. His District (1st) is home to Moody Air Force Base, Ft. Stewart, Hunter Army Airfield and Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.

On Oct. 22, 2011, we had the privilege of hosting a USO-sponsored visit by members of the National Cartoonists Society.  These professional cartoonists and caricaturists donated their time to speak with and draw free caricatures of service members.  They hosted three drawing sessions over the course of two days.  Pictured here, Airman 1st Class Taylor Richardson of the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department has his caricature drawn at the Fire Department in Ops Town.

Thank you for another great week.  It is an honor to serve with you.

 Col Giovanni Tuck

Commander, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing