VIEW FROM THE TOP >> Team Little Rock at top of our game

By Brig. Gen. Wayne Schatz
314th Airlift Wing commander


Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, recently released the Air Force’s weapon system roadmap. This roadmap is a long-term plan for providing Air Force capabilities well into the 21st century. Gen. Moseley’s roadmap, in short, outlines where future advanced weapon systems could potentially be based in the continental U.S., Hawaii, Alaska and U.S. territories. The plan basically calls for Air Force officials to evaluate installations which currently house legacy weapon systems forecasted for replacement by future systems.

Although Little Rock AFB was not on the Chief’s list for new weapon systems/aircraft, our future here in the great state of Arkansas, I assure you, is exceptionally secure for the long haul. Team Little Rock has a bright and stable future with a growing C-130 mission, both in training and in real-world operations, coupled with the fantastic support of our local communities.

With the plan to integrate C-130 domestic training here, we have truly become a total force, teaming up with active-duty, Guard and Reserve components. We are no longer just the C-130 Center of Excellence – we are now the “C-130 center of the universe.” Combat airlifters are using their skills and our airframes every day to fight and win the Global War on Terror and provide humanitarian relief efforts anytime, anyplace, and yes, anywhere. This is all rooted right here, from aircrew and maintenance initial training to upgrade training and maintenance efforts, along with all the supporting elements making the mission happen every day. Little Rock Air Force Base has a proud track record of service and support. As the chief of staff guides our service toward the future, we can expect that track record to only grow stronger.

We have a lot to be proud of across our base. I see evidence of individual and unit accomplishments on a daily basis. Just recently announced, Team Little Rock received the 2007 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award from July 1, 2006, to June 30, 2007. Great work, Team Little Rock! Additionally, tonight, we will honor the “best-of-the-best” as we announce the Little Rock Air Force Base 2007 Annual Award Winners. Let’s ensure we all give a warm welcome to Maj. Gen. Irving L. Halter, Jr., 19th Air Force commander, and his wife, Judy Halter, all the way from Randolph AFB, Texas. We take time tonight to acknowledge the incredible hard work and accomplishments of combat airlifters from all corners of the base.

This event will recognize the enlisted and officer corps and our civilian counterparts from 314th Airlift Wing and the 463rd Airlift Group – again showcasing how two commands and three diverse groups of individuals can work together to achieve a common goal.

Congratulations, too, to the 314th Logistics Readiness Squadron, who were selected for the 2007 AETC Roy Bateman Award, recognizing readiness units who provide outstanding logistics support for the command. They will represent Team Little Rock at the Air Force level.

This means we have cause for celebration! Let me personally invite you to celebrate this Saturday night as the Air Force’s Tops in Blue entertains Team Little Rock at the sports and fitness center.

We will welcome home one of our very own – Master Sgt. Clayton Johnson, a communications computer systems operations craftsman with 314th Communications Squadron.

He is the troupe’s first sergeant and a trombonist. And a hearty congratulations goes out to Airman 1st Class Quentin Thomas, 463rd AMXS, who was hand-picked as one of only 25 selected for Tops in Blue 2008 tour. The Tops in Blue concert this Saturday is a great opportunity for Team Little Rock to truly come together as a base and as a community.

Bring your family and friends and enjoy the music and fun. Take a well-deserved break from the hard work you do for your country every day. Kim and I look forward to seeing you there!

Combat airlift!