New PACAF commander, command chief visit Iceman Team

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Lauren-Taylor Levin
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Gen. Lori Robinson, the Pacific Air Forces commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Buddy Hutchison, the Pacific Air Forces command chief, visited Eielson Air Force Base to gain a better understanding of base capabilities and unit readiness Dec. 4-6. 

During her visit, General Robinson, who assumed command in October, hosted an all-call where she introduced herself and outlined her priorities.

"I can't tell you how excited Chief Hutchison and I are to be here and meet with Icemen in the Arctic and to understand what it is you do every day," said General Robinson. "I have been given the opportunity to be able to lead several times before taking command of Pacific Air Forces and it's a privilege to be able to have this opportunity again. Most importantly, I wanted to tell you that I'm proud of you."

General Robinson focused on how to improve communication and pointed out that it is vital for every organization to create healthy leadership environments. 

"A healthy environment needs to consist of a culture of dignity and respect on all fronts. It has to be in every single workplace and each of us has to hold each other accountable when it's not," said General Robinson. "It is the team's success that gets things done, not the individual, and it's the team that creates and maintains a healthy environment from the wing commander's office to the flightline all the way to the work spaces throughout Eielson."

She explained that the PACAF mission and goals will not change significantly but will be adjusted throughout the years to come.

The general also explained that Eielson can expect her to continue to check all PACAF bases on their readiness.

"Our readiness is the most important thing we can do to in order to answer our nation's call," she said. "Readiness doesn't just come from a single group here on Eielson: it's from everyone, including the Guard Airmen, to understand where we are doing great in readiness and where we have problems."

After the all-call General Robinson traveled to various facilities around the base to meet Airmen and see first-hand how they execute their missions.

General Robinson's stops around Eielson included visits with the 354th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron for the load crew of the year competition, the 354th Security Forces Squadron to test their combat arms simulator, and the 354th Civil Engineer Squadron to view the operations of the central heat and power plant. She also visited the 354th Force Support Squadron's Eielson City Center, a quality of life project that Gen. Hawk Carlisle, the previous PACAF commander, had a large part in bringing to Eielson, as well as a stop at the Two Seasons Dining Facility to enjoy lunch with 20 enlisted Icemen.