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19th Air Force commander and team returns to Mighty 97th roots

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Maj. Gen. Mark S. Solo, 19th Air Force commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Michael M. Williams, 19th AF command chief, visited and toured Altus AFB, Dec. 1 - 3, to better understand the daily operations and challenges of Altus Airmen.

"As I walked around the base these past few days, I could see Altus AFB is well on its way to becoming the best in Air Education Training and Command in terms of executing the mission and providing support," Chief Williams said.

General Solo was wing commander of the Mighty 97th from Aug. 2003 thru Oct. 2005.

Also accompanying the general during his visit were his wife, Patty, and aide de camp, Captain John Talafuse.

"I would like to thank all of the Airmen here at Altus," General Solo said. "My wife, Patty, and I are grateful for the time your Airmen took to talk to us about their mission. It is quite humbling to come back five years later and see everyone remains so focused and engaged in the mission."

General Solo and Chief Williams attended numerous briefings and participated in discussions with Airmen around the base. During their visits, they engaged in a combination of demonstrations and hands-on activities, to include firing weapons at the newly reopened combat arms training range, driving a 60K Tunner loader at the aerial port as well as all terrain vehicles from the outdoor recreation center, and operating the KC-135 Stratotanker and C-17 Globmaster III simulators.

"If every base in the 19th AF took the pride that the men and women of the 97th Air Mobility Wing take, then the 19th AF has nothing to worry about," Chief Williams said.

Mrs. Solo visited the child development center, chapel annex, outdoor recreation center and spoke with a group of enlisted spouses.

General Solo also toured the Expeditionary Skills Training Center, the Digital Airport Surveillance Radar and Radar Approach Control construction sites, the Boom Operator Weapon System Trainer and the Vehicle Maintenance Complex, while Chief Williams spent extra time visiting dormitory facilities and the privatized housing area.

"It was great seeing the finished projects which had not been completed when I left the 97th AMW," General Solo said.

The 19th Air Force command team also attended a Christmas party off base with members of the local military affairs committee to see how the base works with the local community.

"I have never seen a better bond between a base and a local community than here at Altus," General Solo said. "It was great coming back to my previous wing...almost like coming home."