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Gould takes command of 2nd AF

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lee Smith
  • Keesler News staff
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. (AETCNS) --  Maj. Gen. Michael Gould took command of Second Air Force during a ceremony Nov. 9 here.

General Gould comes to Keesler from the Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, where he served as the Third Air Force commander.

The new commander had previous assignments in Air Education and Training Command as the 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, Altus AFB, Okla., and the Air Training Command vice commander's executive officer, Randolph AFB, Texas.

The general said he is happy to return to a training mission.

"Arriving here from Europe and after spending time in many European countries -- visiting with leaders, heads of state, chiefs of Air Forces -- they were quick to show off their superstar Airmen. Most times those Airmen had been trained in a Second Air Force training program of some sort and were back leading their respective air forces," General Gould said.

"I pledge to do everything we can to continue the good work that is already in place," he said. "We will listen closely to the warfighters' needs, and we'll produce the right type of Airmen with the right skills to continue the war on terrorism and produce everything the Air Force needs."

General Gould said he visited the base about a month after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in August and was pleasantly surprised to see the current state of the base.

"I could not grasp the amount and degree of devastation until I actually saw it," he said. "When we arrived Monday, we were so excited to see the progress you have made."

The general hopes to continue to make progress with the surrounding community, referring to a sign on I-10 near Biloxi that reads, "Together we will rebuild our community." Airmen should continue maintaining a good balance and perspective, and giving thanks for the opportunity to serve our country, he said.

"We must all also make a concise effort to take care of our families who are so key to everything we do. We must take care of ourselves to maintain a good balance, through our unit physical training and in our own efforts to take care of ourselves," he said. "Finally, we have to have fun at what we're doing. We must work hard and at the same time, we must play hard; and together, we look forward to leading you into that."

General Gould takes command from Maj. Gen. Chip Utterback, who will become the deputy commander of Pacific Air Forces at Hickam AFB, Hawaii.

"I am so excited to be here as there is no more vital or noble mission than training our replacements, and that is what Second Air Force is all about," General Gould said.