VIEW FROM TOP>>"Huah" Team Little Rock

By Brig. Gen. Rowayne A. Schatz, Jr.
19th Airlift Wing commander

Team Little Rock, as most of you already know, Kim and I received notification of our new assignment to the Pentagon last week. While we are excited about the challenges ahead, it is with sadness in our hearts that Kim and I are departing The Rock.

We have a very special connection with the base and the local community. I can’t say enough about the many, many great things Team Little Rock has accomplished in partnership with our local community.

Whether it was through the Airman’s council, the action line, wingman day discussions, commander calls, or through your change of command, your commanders and I solicited your feedback and heard your concerns about quality of life issues at The Rock. As a result of your feedback, the Warfit track is being renovated; our fitness center changed its hours to better accommodate the needs of shift workers; fitness center showers have been repaired; six dorms are receiving new washers and dryers; and our child development center is providing a second session of free childcare every month for parents with deployed spouses through the “Give Parents a Break” program. It is through this communication that we have strived to provide you the support necessary to build a healthy, happy, and productive team. You, in turn, have worked hard to give combatant commanders the Combat Airlift support that is vital to their missions. Each of you have taken up the mantle of what it means to be a Combat Airlifter and I am proud to have served with you.

Col. Greg and Lisa Otey will be arriving soon and will take command of the 19th Airlift Wing in a ceremony on Jan 28 at 10 a.m. in Hangar 276. Col. Otey has the right background to successfully command this wing, having helped stand up the C-130 Weapons School here in the 1990s, serving as commander of the 41st Airlift Squadron while at Pope Air Force Base, S.C., and then as the vice commander of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center. Team Little Rock will continue to shine under his leadership.

As we prepare to depart, we will definitely leave a part of our hearts behind. Thank you for your support and encouragement.

Combat Airlift!