PACAF commander discusses top Air Force priorities, challenges

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- The top U.S. Air Force general in the Pacific visited Yokota Air Base earlier this week and met with senior officials from U.S. Forces Japan and the 374th Airlift Wing.

Gen. Paul V. Hester, Pacific Air Forces commander discussed many issues facing the service today. These key points included operations tempo, deployments, force shaping, new uniforms and the importance of bilateral relationships.

"I expect that there will be a continued request for our Airmen to be a part of the combat zone," the general said. "Yes, we will continue to be deployed. Yes, we are going to continue to have a high ops tempo, but some Airmen will be at higher ops tempo than others. Our experienced Airmen are bringing their skills to the battle field and offering their expertise to help solve the war on terrorism."

The general also talked about force shaping and how it fits into the top priorities of Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force chief of staff.

"I think that force shaping is very important to us by detailing exactly where the Air Force is going," he said. "The chief of staff has articulated very well that his three priorities are to win the war on terror, take care of families and modernize the force."

Part of the modernization of the force is buying new equipment and part of that strategy entails buying equipment which is much more capable and takes less people to operate, he said.

"For example, we are retiring nearly 1,000 airplanes during the next five years in our Air Force," said General Hester. "Yes, we are purchasing to replace them, but it will be less than one for one. So, obviously it takes less people," he said. "Force shaping is taking the Air Force and molding it into the force that we need for the future with the technologies we are buying."

The general also discussed the new uniform that Airmen deploying in the next Air Expeditionary Force buckets will be issued.

"We'll come out of the chute in a full-scale way in early 2007," said General Hester. "My expectation is that over the next year, we will see a large portion of our Air Force wearing the new Airman Battle Uniform."

However, the general was sure to point out that this uniform still has room for improvements.

"Airmen designed this uniform and the Airmen will tell us if we all collectively got it right or we need to make some modifications in the future," he said. "General Moseley said if we don't have this 100 percent right, we will make changes as changes are appropriate."

"I look forward to the new uniform," said General Hester. "I look forward to all of us being in a uniquely designed Air Force uniform that we will take to the battle field and people will look at them and say 'there goes one of America's Airmen."'

The general then pointed out the biggest challenges facing Airmen in the Pacific region.

"I think one of the most important challenges for Airmen is learning not only how to represent themselves, the Air Force and their government, but to represent the American way of life," the general said.

More specifically, he talked about the relationships we are building in Japan.

"Right now we have the opportunity to go out the gate and meet the Japanese citizens who warmly embrace and welcome us into their society," he said. "It's all of the human to human contact that helps to strengthen the bonds and establish trust among the Japanese and American people. It's this trust that is going to build that relationship and alliance for the next generation."

The commander also said that our bilateral relationships will be turning into more of a multilateral relationship.

"Our friends and allies in the region like to get together and discuss how we can better work together," said the general. "This extends our ability to do business across nations and national boundaries, where there is a lot of interest. There is certainly no stronger alliance than the Japanese and American alliance, and we are very, very proud of this."

The general concluded by stating his pride in the men and women serving in today's Air Force.

"I am most proud of the Airmen that are taking the mission they have been trained to do, but when they're challenged in other areas, they're going above and beyond to help others in need. These are the things we should be most proud of everyday," he said.

"For Airmen who are away from their blood-family at this time of year, it is always difficult," the general said. "They should know that their Air Force family is very proud of them and that I wish them a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."