Commander of 2nd AF visits CAFB

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Danielle Powell
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Major Gen. Michael Gould, Commander of the 2nd Air Force, Keesler AFB, Miss., was the keynote speaker at graduation for SUPT class 07-09 Friday.
General Gould spoke to the graduates about how to keep things in perspective. His way to do so was faith in religion, taking care of family and staying fit.
As General Gould emotionally spoke to the audience, he told a story of a former KC-10 pilot who, with 7,500 flying hours under his belt, had once told him, 'I would gladly trade several thousand of these flying hours, for more time with my wife and kids.'
General Gould quickly made the effort after that night to "not have similar regrets" in his career. He said "You can never do enough to care for your family."
With his son beginning pilot training in about eight months, General Gould was able to share the feeling of being proud with the graduates' parents.
While Air Education and Training Command's 19th Air Force is charged with all flying training, the 2nd Air Force is responsible for conducting basic military and technical training for Air Force enlisted members and support officers.
As all members of the armed forces aim to fight the global war on terrorism, the 2nd AF is also doing its part to keep all courses and curriculum taught up to date so that they can produce the best Airmen possible.
"We train every Airman to be expeditionary Airman. We are about to expand basic military training by two weeks and we will insert more combat skills and expeditionary thinking," said General Gould. "Keeping our courses current is an ongoing challenge for us in this command, both in flying training and technical training. It is one of our primary goals, to be responsive to combat commander's needs. We are always looking for more ways to update our courses to reflect the needs of our Air Force today."
When asked challenges the 2nd AF was having at the current time, he responded by saying the greatest challenge is to "continue teaching Airmen the right skills at the right time and as quickly as possible."
"Our number one strategy is to produce the world's best trained combat, expeditionary Airmen. To do this we need to make sure we care for our people. We share the same priorites as General (Michael) Moseley and Secretary (Michael) Wynne have, and that is to remain focused on winning the war on terror. And the only way we can do that is to continue to give our people the tools they need to succeed," said General Gould.
General Gould left the graduates with this parting message, "You are part of an amazing team, this team with the Air Force and its allies. Be proud of your contribution to this teams' success, in the long war on terror and in everything you do. It should put a smile on your face when you think of what you do. You can go to work a long time in this business knowing that you are attributing a lot."