PACAF CLT visits Eielson

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Evette Edwards
  • 354 Fighter Wing, Public Affairs
Eielson Air Force Base, ALASKA --  As part of a tour of the Pacific's strategic triangle, a civic leader tour, hosted by Gen. Howie Chandler, Pacific Air Forces commander, visited Eielson last week.

The general and 22 civic leaders from around the Pacific toured several areas of Eielson, including the central heat and power plant and the arctic survival school. The tour arrived Wednesday amidst exercise Northern Edge aircraft launches. The ongoing exercise showcased the unique training capabilities of the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex.

"Civic leader support is what allows the 354th FW to accomplish its missions of preparing aviation forces for combat, deploying Airmen in support of global operations and enabling the staging of forces," said Brig. Gen. Mark W. Graper, 354th Fighter Wing commander. "In particular, thanks to the support of our patriotic Interior Alaska neighbors we can offer world-class training opportunities to American and Allied forces in the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex. We're fortunate to live in Interior Alaska, a community noted for its stalwart and generous support and recognition of the military."

Sami Glascott, president of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, said the five-day trip is providing a great networking opportunity for civic leaders who support the Air Force across the "strategic triangle" Pacific bases in Hawaii, Guam and Alaska.

"These are men and women who are influence leaders in their communities - key links to telling our story to American taxpayers," said Col. Ed Thomas, PACAF director of Public Affairs. They'll be tired at the end of this five-day trip, but I'm confident that they'll leave with a sense of excitement and a depth of understanding of what we bring to the nation."

The visiting group also enjoyed lunch with Eielson Airmen at the Yukon club before touring the civil engineer snowbarn, where they got to see massive snow removal equipment and learn about what it takes to ensure mission success in extreme weather.

General Graper added "Civic leader tours are a great way for us to showcase our capabilities and show our gratitude. The civic leaders from Guam, Hawaii and Alaska now understand the great contributions the Iceman Team makes to our nation's defense, and understands that we are 'Ready to go at 50 below!'"

Eielson AFB is one of nine main bases under Headquarters Pacific Air Force that also includes four Numbered Air Forces from which regional and global security is demonstrated. After their short stay at Eielson AFB the tour will continue on to Anderson AFB, Guam.