CSAF reflects on importance of PACAF

Published May 15, 2009
By Master Sgt. Matt Summers
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- The chief of staff of the Air Force wrapped up a week-long, four-base tour of Pacific Air Forces here May 13 on his first visit to the region since becoming the nation's top-ranking uniformed Airman last August.

Gen. Norton Schwartz said the United States has a vested interest in the Asia-Pacific region, one that encompasses half of the world's surface, more than half its population and nearly a third of the world economy. He said he's impressed with the diversity and passion shown by PACAF's Airmen and civilian employees.

"This is a very strategic region," said General Schwartz. "If you look at the nations in the region, both in terms of friends of the U.S. and those who are less friendly to us, we have a vested interest in the Asia-Pacific region -- an interest in the security and stability of the Asia-Pacific area and Pacific Air Forces enables that on behalf of the joint team. It's clear to me -- we've been talking about being 'all in,' and that doesn't mean just in Central Command area of responsibility...clearly people in this area of responsibility are Air Force 'all in' too."

"All in" is a card game reference meaning a player holds nothing back because they're confident they have a winning hand. The general said he's seen this confidence and commitment during his recent travels.

"The nation is at war and as a result there are demands on all of us to perform, to meet the needs of the joint team, to deploy when next required, to serve in garrison," he said. "I would like to emphasize that being deployed in place is just as valuable as being deployed downrange."

"We know the families sacrifice as much as our active duty, they are every bit as much 'all in' as our military members," he added.

According to PACAF officials, more than 45,000 total force Airmen are assigned to PACAF with an average of more than 2,000 deployed worldwide every day, not counting the 6,800 Airmen based on the Korean peninsula.

The 1973 U.S. Air Force Academy graduate said he's also impressed with the ability of PACAF Airmen to adapt quickly and effectively to diverse cultures.

"The major thing for me is how sophisticated you have to be in dealing with friends and those who might challenge us in this AOR," he said. "There are unique aspects to each of these locations and ... I took away that there is global sophistication in our efforts here and it makes me proud."

The general said how Airmen deal with their own Air Force culture of balancing current contingencies with planning for future conflicts is key as well. In the Fiscal Year 2010 defense budget recommendation, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates proposed ending the production of the F-22 Raptor at 187 aircraft. Secretary Gates said the Department of Defense will also terminate the Air Force combat search and rescue helicopter acquisition program because he said it "raises the fundamental question of whether this important mission can only be accomplished by yet another single-service solution with single-purpose aircraft."

"We are definitely in a period where we are going to have to make choices, so things that have multiple uses will probably be somewhat more valuable than things that only have a single purpose or a single mission application," said General Schwartz. "I truly believe that given the financial situation and the condition the country finds itself in, we are far better off making choices about how we posture ourselves for today's fight and the future, and do that as an Air Force rather than allowing others to do it for us."

As the general returns to the Pentagon, he said he relishes getting out to the field and meeting Airmen and their families.

"The wonderful thing about a trip like this is your chief of staff gets a sense of ground truth," he said. "It's helpful to get out and about, to see, smell and touch ground truth."