CSAF visits Dyess

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Carolyn Viss
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Air Force chief of staff visited here Dec. 12-14 and spoke with 7th Bomb Wing Airmen about current operations, upcoming changes across the force and how Airmen are in the fight. 

"Like every other main operating base, Dyess is a wonderful launching opportunity when you think of the C-130s and B-1s ... and the things we do with them," said General T. Michael Moseley. "Since 1990, we've been deployed in the Middle East, and since 1991 we've been in solid combat - almost 17 years now." 

The general, who is responsible for the organization, training and equiping of more than 710,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian personnel, said the Air Force is great for today's Airmen, and will be even better for tomorrow's. 

"We pride ourselves on education and skills in the Air Force and on having no limit to the heights our Airmen can go," he said. "Because a large percentage of Airmen are deployed, it's been our focus to make education as easy as we can for them. The Airmen of the future will be much better equipped, much better educated, and will have more opportunities along those lines." 

The aircraft in the Air Force will also improve, General Moseley promised. Currently, the Air Force is operating the oldest fleet in history. 

General Moseley said a new bomber will be built and in operation by the year 2018 to replace the B-1s, B-2s, and B-52s that were designed in the '50s and '60s but are still being used in combat today. Also, commanders and Airmen in the field are depending more and more on unmanned aerial vehicles, the general said. 

"Unmanned aerial vehicles are a big deal for us," said General Moseley. "We're using them a lot. There's a big future in that. We're building more of them, we're depending more on them, and this is a fascinating future." 

Although the goal is not to retain aircraft, but rather to replace them, it is a priority to retain good Airmen, he said. 

"The Air Force is a retention service," General Moseley said. "By the time an Airman gets to a wing, we've got some serious time and money invested (in him), so it's my desire to retain the highest percentage possible. We don't intend to decrease recruiting, either; we want to get as many great-quality Airmen in as possible ... and keep them in." 

He plans to accomplish that goal by maintaining a high quality of life for Airmen such as the new housing being built here. He said keeping excellent family living facilities is a great way to keep excellent Airmen. 

Visiting the base was also a chance to come home to his native Texas. 

"It's a treat to be here in Abilene," said the 35-year veteran. "My wife and I were blessed to be stationed in Big Spring for five years, and both of our children were born there, so it's good to be home."