ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Lt. Gen. Russell Handy, 11th Air Force commander, visited service members here Nov. 21- 24, to survey daily missions on base and discuss future developments throughout the Pacific Air Forces.
Together with the 11th Air Force command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Gay Veale, the general visited various work centers to talk with Airmen about concerns and questions within their units and the Air Force as a whole. From a changing enlisted evaluations system to changing force structure, Veale commented on current developments within the total force.
"I can assure you Air Force leaders are working very hard to make sure we get out the best product for you all," Veale said about the changes to enlisted performance reports and promotions. "This is a big change we need in our Air Force and I am very excited to see all the changes about to take place."
During the visit, the general and command chief also conducted a late-night visit with Airmen who work night shifts at the 36th Security Forces, Force Support, Air Mobility and Operations Support Squadrons.
"When we come to visit, the night shifts are often left out so we wanted to give them the chance to be able to talk to us as well and let us know what their concerns are," Veale continued.
Throughout his visit Handy commented on the continued need to upgrade facilities and capabilities to meet changing requirements of the ongoing strategic pivot to the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region.
"Team Andersen's infrastructure is right-sized for the continuous bomber presence and for the wing to do its day-to-day mission, but not for the future plans we have for the base," he said. "Our first priority will be to build the infrastructures needed to improve the quality of life for our Airmen."
After visiting with leaders from Team Andersen, Naval Base Guam and Joint Region Marianas, Handy ended his visit with a base wide all call. He thanked the Airmen for their hard work and dedication to supporting the mission during a period of global uncertainty.
"I would like to thank all of you for your service, dedication and all of the amazing things you continue to do in these uncertain times," Handy said. "I know it's not easy and there are a lot of questions out there ... keep asking questions and keep talking.
Only those who are air-minded and focus their professional and intellectual energy on integrating air, space and cyber can ... provide essential advice to our senior leadership. We've done it before and tackled harder problems and we've always transformed and made it happen. I know you guys will do it again."