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AETC commander visits wing, observes daily operations

  • Published
  • By By Staff Sgt. Beth Del Vecchio
  • 12th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz, Air Education and Training Command commander, spent two days visiting the men and women of the 12th Flying Training Wing during a tour here March 12-13.

Although the general lives and flies here, the visit gave him a chance to interact with people he may not get a chance to see day to day, he said.

"I live at Randolph, but my main focus here, as a tenant, is at my headquarters," he said. "This was a great opportunity to see all the world-class people of the 12th Flying Training Wing, doing a world-class mission."

Chief Master Sgt. Robert Tappana, the AETC command chief master sergeant, and Leslie Lorenz, the general's wife, accompanied the commander on the Randolph tour, which started with dinner at 12th Services facilities, followed by the Youth Hut, the golf course and the arts and crafts center. Briefings from wing leadership kicked off the next morning, followed by visits to the wing's operational and support units. 

"This base is so historic and has so many historic missions attached to it; it is an honor to live and work here," the general said. 

During his time at the 12th Operations Group, the general discussed issues including base realignment and closure initiatives and the combat systems officer training transition to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. He later toured the trainer development hangar, the T-6 shelters and sunshades on the west ramp.

To close his first day, General Lorenz hosted an officers' call where he shared his leadership philosophy and fielded questions from a packed ballroom. 

"I really enjoyed listening to the general -- he's very motivating, and his stories drove home his leadership points in a personable, engaging manner," said 2nd Lt. Alicia Nix, 562nd Flying Training Squadron.

After breakfast at the fire station the second day, he took a driving tour of the taxiway, South Gate and Perimeter Road, where officials briefed him on the upgrades and improvements. The general also visited the child development center and enlisted dormitories, where he heard about the need to expand and renovate the facilities, then toured the security forces warehouse to see the squadron's expeditionary support capabilities and its newest training simulator. 

After visits to the aerospace physiology training building and the 12th Medical Group to see ongoing renovations at the clinic, General Lorenz stopped into the Team Randolph Air Force Assistance Fund kick-off luncheon. Even though it was raining, the general donned an apron and got to work flipping burgers for the cause. 

"I couldn't believe it when I went by to grab some food for the AFAF drive, and heard the four-star was there, serving folks," said Staff Sgt. Nicholas McKinley, 12th FTW Staff Judge Advocate office administrative law paralegal. "It's great that Airmen of every rank get involved with supporting the AFAF." 

After lunch, the general toured the trainer development flight, where he saw the new air refueling boom operator simulator. He also made a stop at the base deployment center which was recently relocated to Hangar 71 to consolidate all deployment operations.

General Lorenz concluded his tour with a visit to the base Airman Leadership School, where he spoke with junior enlisted.

"I felt that the general's visit was very informative and I personally benefited from his wisdom, as well as his insight," said Staff Sgt. Alfredo Rubio, an ALS student and fire protection crew chief with the base fire department. 

As a Team Randolph member himself, the general thanked the men and women of the base.

"We live and stand on the shoulders of giants, and no one experiences that more than the men and women of Randolph Air Force Base," he said. "To Team Randolph, I say thank you for all the great service you are doing for the Air Force and for our nation."