AFRC Commander visits Oklahoma reservists

  • Published
  • By Maj Bil Pierce
  • 507th Air Refuling Wing
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Oklahoma --  Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr., Air Force Reserve Command commander, visited with Reserve members March 6 and 7 during a two-day trip to Tinker AFB.

During his trip General Stenner was the guest speaker at the Reserve Officer's Association Annual State of Oklahoma convention. During his visit General Stenner toured and met with several Reserve members from around the 507th Air Refueling Wing, 513th Air Control Group[ and 137th Air Refueling Wing.

Speaking to a multi-services ROA crowd, the general highlighted several key points facing service members today. He made it a point to highlight the many accomplishments of the 507th ARW. "You have a solid wing and a solid mission here at Tinker and I congratulate you," he said.

The general went on to discuss the wing's mission and its unique association with the 137th ARW, an Oklahoma Air National Guard unit. "This is a first, a Reserve/guard association. From the beginning you made it your own, you made it work. The commanders and senior enlisted leadership from both sides came together and figured it out," said General Stenner. He went on to say, "The challenge from here is for you to leverage all the good things that came from this association." 

Speaking to the same leadership he emphasized the need to pursue a balance between family, the military and a member's civilian job. "Eighty percent of the folks in the Air Force Reserve are traditional reservists and are willing to serve," he said.

In order for members to continue their service a balance between military career, civilian employer and family is extremely important and critical to maintain. A good balance makes for a ready reservist, an informed employer and a supported family.

According to the 507th Wing Commander Col. Jeffery R. Glass, anywhere from 400 to 500 wing members are serving on orders, at any given time. "To sustain this tempo and maintain readiness, everyone from the individual member to leadership must protect this mission critical balance," said Col. Glass.

Following a Sunday morning breakfast with junior Airman at the Dining Center, General Stenner toured the 507th ARW facilities and new construction sites currently underway.  He also visited with members of the 513th ACG where he expressed his appreciation for the mission performed by this Reserve Associate group.  The general acknowledged the Group's significant impact in Airborne Warning And Control flying operations as well as the its impact on supporting improvements in software used in the E-3 Sentry operating systems.

To conclude his trip General Stenner answered questions from Airmen at a Town Hall Commander's Call. Many of the questions spoke to readiness issues. He addressed each question assuring each member that senior leadership was either aware of the issue, working the issue, or looking for ways address the issue. He encouraged the audience to read his eNotes.

Before departing the auditorium he smiled and thanked the reservists and guardsmen attending for their hospitality and all their hard work.