PACAF commander visits Misawa Air Base

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Cammie Quinn
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Brooke McLean, PACAF command chief, arrived at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 23, 2010, to spend a couple of days visiting the base and talking with Airmen.

The trip provided an opportunity for the PACAF leaders to gain a better understanding of the life Airmen experience while stationed here.

The leadership team sat and talked with groups of Airmen of all ranks and took part in various mission aspects across the wing -- from operations and maintenance of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, to military working dogs and firefighting capabilities. General North also conducted an interview with the American Forces Network and celebrated Misawa Air Base's 63rd Annual Air Force Ball with Airmen of the 35th Fighter Wing Sept. 25.

During his interview, General North discussed the importance of maintaining a good, steady relationship with the Air Force's international partners, specifically within the PACAF area of responsibility.

"The Pacific region is incredibly vast and has limited air bases," he said. "Because of this, the area requires interoperability, not just with our joint U.S. service partners, but within a combined environment."

The general added it requires cooperative agreements with many nations to transit over air space, demanding ongoing relationships with regional partners.

"The region is expansive and complex. What makes the mission achievable is our fantastic Airmen who do daily missions by supporting not just regional, but global impacts, for our Air Force," he added.

By working in joint and combined operations, General North said he believes Airmen serve an important role to their joint counterparts.

"The most integral part is the expertise, both tactical and technical, that Airmen bring to the fight," he said. "We often see entry-level supervisors working side-by-side with lieutenant colonels and colonels from other countries' air forces.

"It is heartening to me to see how well the Airmen do during exercises as well as while deployed," General North added.

The general said he shares a concern with other military members regarding the mental health of service members, particularly as it applies to suicide and depression.

"We are all troubled by the trend line and increase in those who view suicide as the ultimate option," he said. "It is troublesome to me that Airmen or their family members view suicide as an option for problems that arise in their lives."

The wingman concept is very important, and the general noted potentially many lives were saved through first sergeants, commanders and coworkers who were looking out and identifying changes in behaviors.

"It is so important our Airmen and families understand there is a wealth of help in our Air Force and there is no problem so large that they have to resort to suicide as an option," he said.

"We're all human, we do make mistakes. Our challenge is to help our Airmen understand that not only are we here for them as they function in the work force, but we're here for them as fellow human beings as well. If you have a challenge or a problem, the best way to solve it is reach out to a network of people who can support you, as opposed to something as final as suicide," he added.

The general also acknowledged the dedication and sacrifice by service members.

"In an all-volunteer service, your desire to serve, support and defend the constitution is the most admirable trait anyone can have," General North said. "To serve in the many places and in extreme conditions the Air Force can send you -- it is a very admirable quality.

His final advice to Airmen was simple. "Keep doing what you're doing-- take care of each other and be very proud in how well you're doing in your work. Our Airmen represent the very best our nation can provide," he added.