AETC Command Chaplain visits Team BLAZE

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kaleb Snay
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Team BLAZE personnel received a visit this past Tuesday from Col. Steve Schaick, Command Chaplain Air Education and Training Command.

He was accompanied by Chief Master Sergeant Keller Benningfield, AETC Chaplain Assistant Functional Manager. During their tour of Columbus Air Force Base, AETC's Senior Religious Support Team visited with a number of Airmen to find out firsthand what life is like at the Air Force's busiest pilot training base.

"I love it!" said Chaplain Schaick. "As I walked around Columbus, it looks like a model Air Force base. The housing is beautiful, the runway is definitely busy, and it's amazing that hundreds of students are being trained here to be premier pilots in our Air Force. What is even better, is that the local community really embraces the base and its mission."

During their time at Columbus, Schaick and Benningfield were able to tour several units and get a glimpse of the great ministry the Columbus AFB Chapel Team has been doing.

"I just love being here at the wing-level and hearing what our chaplains have been doing," said Schaick. "I was able to see the 14th Operations Group this morning and talk with several leaders and then visit with a number of brand new lieutenants, who were all eager to earn their wings. I also spent time with the Security Forces Squadron, the Mission Support Group, and wing leadership to discuss what's going on around the base."

The mission of the Air Force Chaplain Corps is to ensure the free exercise of religion and to make sure that Airmen and their families have opportunities to worship. Chaplains and chaplain assistants also advise Air Force leaders on issues involving religion, morality, the morale of personnel, and spiritual concerns.

"Caring for Airmen is Chaplain Schaick's top priority," said Lt. Col. Brian McCormack, Wing Chaplain 14th Flying Training Wing. "And these type of site visits help us to share the story of our warriors here at Columbus and also discuss how to better care for our Airmen and their families."

With Airmen being the primary focus of the Chaplain Corps mission, Schaick shared a few final thoughts.

"This is an exciting time to be in the Chaplain Corps," said Schaick. "We have the chance to positively influence an enormous number of people and help the mission. This is a great base with extraordinary leadership! My visit here makes me excited for the future of our Air Force!"