12th AF/CC visits Dyess

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Carolyn Viss
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 12th Air Force commander and his wife visited Dyess Feb. 12 and 13 as part of his initiative to ensure continual engagement with all the 12th Air Force units he oversees.
Lieutenant Gen. Norman Seip and his wife, Kathleen, visited numerous base facilities, meeting with commanders and Airmen alike and seeing everything from AFSO21 operations to base housing construction progress. 

"I brought my wife with me to this annual tour because it's so important for the warfighter to be prepared not only professionally but also when it comes to matters of the home," General Seip said. 

One "matter of the home" he addressed is the draw downs the Air Force is experiencing. 

"Draw downs don't affect 12th Air Force bases more or less than they affect other bases," General Seip said. "We have to preserve our means of being able to fight not only today's conflicts but also future conflicts. This process of shaping our force is always going to be painful, but it's necessary as we get newer technology ... I say painful, because it affects the individual. Each job cut represents an Airman who is being eliminated from the active-duty Air Force. We are trying to provide normal accessions, such as retraining or the option to go into the Air National Guard or Air Force Reserves, or even some civilian slots." 

Though those draw downs are painful, Dyess, home of the B-1, is what he called a "perfect example" of a base that "gets" the Lean idea, or what Col. Timothy Ray, 7th Bomb Wing commander, calls doing "less with less." 

"You guys 'get' that you can't do more with less," the general said. "We've got to do things the right way with what we've got, eliminate the non-value items, and come up with a product that's better than the one we started with." 

The B-1, for example, will continue to be a multi-purpose weapons system, General Seip said. 

"The B-1 plays a conventional role in long-range bombing but also does a fantastic job at urban close air support missions and counter-insurgency operations. We now find ourselves posturing for both missions as we advance in technology and training," he said. 

Dyess is a great example of a 12th Air Force base that has implemented innovative thinking to government programs, he said. 

"I've seen nothing but outstanding Airmen, and that covers all ranks including civilians and contractors," General Seip said. "Kathleen and I just want to say a big 'thank you' to the members of Team Dyess for the work you all do here and around the world, as you continue to fight the Global War on Terror."