Warriors of the North host AF Expeditionary Center command team

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. David Dobrydney
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Maj. Gen. Frederick Martin, Air Force Expeditionary Center commander, and his senior enlisted advisor, Command Chief Master Sgt. Pete Stone, paid their first visit to the 319th Air Base Wing Nov. 4-6.

Martin used the opportunity to visit with Airmen and tour the installation.

At breakfast with several junior enlisted Airmen, Martin and Stone, spoke about the importance of building relationships and teamwork, the direction of the Air Force at large, as well as aspects of leadership.

To Airman 1st Class Jordan Kissinger, 319th Operations Support Squadron Airfield Management, the discussion about how to be a leader, and how one must learn to follow first, had the most impact.

"I really appreciated it," Kissinger said afterward.

Besides visiting 319th ABW assets such as the clinic and air traffic control tower, Martin also visited the members of the 69th Reconnaissance Group before capping the day with an all call where he spoke directly to the members of the wing.

"There's really something special here," Martin said. "I hope you all can feel it."

As a leader overseeing six wings and two groups across the country and overseas, Martin spoke about how the mission of the USAF EC and the 319th ABW intersect.

"The Expeditionary Center is global and the mission here is global," Martin said. "You all lend incredible support to the warfighter."

Martin took questions from Airmen ranging from the drawdown of operations in Afghanistan to the changing fiscal situation.

"We're going to be a smaller Air Force, potentially," Martin said at one point, "but the Army is going to rely on us, the Navy is going to rely on us...contingencies aren't going away."

Additionally, Martin spoke to the unique position Grand Forks is in when it comes to the future, with its infrastructure and strong community support.

"The community here is obviously very committed to our mission. I'm sure it's an honor to live and work alongside neighbors who have such a vested interest in what you do."

Martin, also spoke about the importance of relationships, both among family and between friends.

"When people leave the military, what do they often miss most? The camaraderie," Martin said, as he described how trust and teamwork enhance mission accomplishment.

"Trust is the cornerstone of success in our enterprise, and trust is what will take us where we need to go, together."

Martin and Stone concluded the all call with a final thanks to the Warriors of the North and a promise to return soon to meet more of them.

"I'm thoroughly impressed," Stone added. "Thank you for everything you do, each and every day."