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AETC commander discusses changes to deployments, training

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Earlandez M. Young
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AFB, Wash. --  "I hear two things from Airmen: either, 'Hey, I'm deploying a lot' or 'Hey, I'm not deploying enough.'"

Those were the words of Gen. Edward Rice Jr., commander of Air Education Training Command, during his visit to Fairchild Aug. 31.

"Some Airmen joined the Air Force to see the world, but haven't deployed yet," Rice said. "We are continuing to try to balance the opportunity for people to deploy and, to some extent, the requirement for people to deploy.

While at Fairchild, Rice met with members of AETC's only unit at Fairchild, the 336th Training Group. The 336th TRG is responsible for training the famed Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape specialists who, in turn, train more than 6,000 students a year. This was the general's first visit to the base since becoming the AETC commander in November.

During his time at Fairchild, Rice said Airmen should be ready for changes in deployments.

"We are working within the Air Force to reduce the individual deployments and go to more unit deployments," said Rice. "This isn't something that will happen overnight. It will take time and will be deeply thought through."

Rice, who attended SERE training here in the early '80s, said a lot has remained the same from his time as a student, such as the basic skills SERE specialists teach.

"When I came into the Air Force, it was at the tail end of the Vietnam War, so the focus was on the type of situations our Airmen found themselves in as a result of that war," said Rice. "Now, our Airmen are deploying to different areas and situations, so the environments are more varied. Because of that, you see a broader variety of environments and situations incorporated into the training. So, I think we're doing the right thing for today's environment."

As the fiscal year draws to a close, Rice touched on budget concerns, which may have an impact on SERE programs at Fairchild, as well as the rest of the Air Force.

He said people should be prepared for possible fiscal changes, but no matter the outcome, Airmen will be given the proper tools and training for the missions they're expected to accomplish.

"We should have enough resources to do what we must to accomplish the mission," Rice said. "I think it's going to impact us at all levels, but at the end of the day, we are going to continue to have the quality of life and service that has made us the strongest Air Force in the world."

Rice said he's impressed with what he saw during his visit to Fairchild and said Airmen should continue to take advantage of the many opportunities the Air Force gives them.

"We may not have everything we used to have in today's Air Force as we move forward, but we will still have a very high quality of life and high quality of service," Rice said. "I look forward to continuing to serve with the men and women in the United States Air Force for years to come."