4th Air Force commander, command chief visit with 349th Air Mobility Wing

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cindy Alejandrez
  • 349th Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Brig. Gen. John C. Flournoy Jr., 4th Air Force commander visited the members of the 349th Air Mobility Wing, during the March A-Flight drill weekend.

During his visit, Flournoy toured work areas to learn about new or evolving 349th AMW initiatives, such as career development programs. He also took the opportunity to interact with Airmen, including those returning from recent deployments and those who have made positive impacts within the wing.

One of the efforts he recognized was that of the Key Spouse Group, which provides support for deploying reservists and their families. Catherine Thews and Emily Prescott, Key Spouses, were recognized during a squadron formation at the 945th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

"There are no full-time first sergeants but we have full-time first sergeant needs for deploying reservists," said Flournoy.

He explained that the Key Spouse Group was essential in keeping the families of deployed members informed, and involved in the unit. The inclusion and assistance that spouses can gain from one another by simply communicating, helps them make it through tough family separations.

After the Key Spouse recognition, Flournoy honored two community businesses, Sandia National Laboratories and Northbay Healthcare - Patient Financial Services, for their commitment in supporting military members and their families during a flag presentation. Both businesses have sponsored Team Travis Airmen.

During officer and enlisted calls, Flournoy presented the Raincross trophy to the 349th AMW, which recognized the unit as the best wing in the 4th Air Force for the 2012 and 2013 fiscal years, March 9.

"When I got to 4th Air Force, I was excited about the Raincross judging. They told me it was all done and taken care of. Unanimously, all voting members voted the 349th Air Mobility Wing as the Raincross winner -- that's the best wing in the 4th Air Force," said Flournoy, former commader of the 349th AMW from Nov. 2009 to Jan. 2013.

The trophy, which was awarded by the Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce, in Riverside, Calif., went to the 349th AMW team, who logged in more than 15,000 flying hours, delivering almost 34,000 tons of cargo and approximately 36,300 passengers, through more than 3,100 sorties.

Col. Matthew J. Burger, 349th AMW commander, who had originally accepted the award on behalf of the unit during a teleconference in December, added, "It's not our planes, it's not our equipment -- it's our people who make us so great."