General takes a tour, talks to Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nora Anton
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
The Iceman Team showcased its prowess during a visit from Pacific Air Force's director of Air, Space and Information Operations, Plans and Requirements Jan. 24.

Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Remington toured Eielson and the 3rd Air Support Operations Squadron and spoke to Icemen about their mission and future, to include upcoming plans for Red Flag-Alaska.

The general said his outlook for both is extremely optimistic.

In regards to Eielson's upcoming realignment equation--the 355th Fighter Squadron inactivation and 18th Fighter Squadron conversion to an aggressor squadron--General Remington spoke of the changes Icemen and surrounding communities should expect to see.

"There are significant capabilities here in Alaska, such as the Pacific Alaska Range Complex, which is a national asset, and we in the United States Air Force want to ensure that we have quality air exercises up here that we can take advantage of," General Remington said.

He added that his vision of Red Flag-Nellis partnering with RF-A is to have virtually the same capabilities over different terrains and climates.

"In the end, we want the two exercises to be equal," he said. "I'm up here to see the beginning of the process to accomplish this goal. We're discussing everything from potential coalition and ally participation to coordinating manpower and funds."

The general said that right now RF-N is overwhelmed with requests from other countries wanting to take part in exercises there.

"It is in the United States' best interest to get these people to participate whether it is at Nellis or in Alaska," the general said.

The second RF-A exercise is scheduled to occur in March-April. The first RF-A exercise utilizing 18th Aggressor Squadron aircraft will occur in the same time frame in 2008.

"We are having discussions about who will be there [in 2008], what it will look like, how big it will be and whether there are other opportunities in 2008 we can take advantage of--which are all, of course, still to be determined," he said.

General Remington also addressed today's operations tempo, explaining that Airmen at all levels need to use their chain of command to communicate ways of getting things done more efficiently, or simply stop doing certain things altogether.

"You need to assess how you operate. If you find there is a better, more efficient way of doing things--make it your responsibility to tell your supervisors," the general said. "If leadership doesn't hear about your recommendations they assume all is going well, so I encourage you to speak up."