AFA chairman tours Eielson

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nora Anton
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The Air Force Association chairman, Robert Largent, met with Airmen and visited facilities while here on a tour July 16 to 18.

The retired colonel made a trip north while on tour of Pacific Air Forces bases to gain a better understanding of the key challenges of Airmen today and help remedy them through the AFA's commitment to improving issues for today's Air Force.

"Our plate is bigger than any other military coalition organization's," he said, "we work to strive and enhance the quality of life, recapitalization, infrastructure (and so on) for this organization, but we are the only professional organization that represents a group of constituents as broad as we do; from E-1 to O-10, active duty, guard, reserve, civilian and retiree."

Mr. Largent's aim as chairman of the AFA is to enable the organization's ability and commitment to getting the Air Force's story to the public. He does this by meeting with Congressmen, conducting symposiums, writing publications and using other mediums to communicate with the public about the Air Force.

"Because Airmen are limited in what they can say, the AFA tours to collect their stories, and acts as the conduit of that story to the public," he said. "We say what Airmen want to say, but can't--our focus is getting the story out."

He said by doing this, he and his colleagues at the AFA ensure the American public benefits and acknowledges the sacrifices made by Airmen and understands what those sacrifices are.

His stop to Eielson is one of many in PACAF that are global hot-spots for not only providing support for the Global War on Terror, but also to protect America and it's allies by staring down emerging threats located in the Pacific's strategic triangle.

Mr. Largent also went on to commend Eielson's 354th Fighter Wing and the National Guard's 168th Air Refueling Wing for their contributions to military operations around the world.

"The AFA and the senior leadership of the Air Force understand and value the contributions made by the 354th and 168th and their unique mission and location," he said. "Preparing, deploying and enabling is exactly what this organization does and they should be proud they are here."