News

CENTAF commander to visit CAFB

  • Published
  • By Sonic Johnson
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. --  Lieutenant Gen. Gary North, U.S. Central Command Air Forces and 9th Air Force commander, will be the keynote speaker at the Base Community Council dinner hosted at the Columbus Club Thursday. 

General North is Commander, 9th Air Force and U.S. Central Command Air Forces, Shaw AFB, S.C. U.S. Central command comprises five wings in the eastern United States and three direct reporting units, with more than 350 aircraft and 24,000 active-duty and civilian personnel. 

As the Air Component Commander for U.S. Central Command, the general is responsible for developing contingency plans and conducting air operations in a 27-nation area of responsibility covering Central and Southwest Asia and the Horn of Africa. He currently oversees all coalition Air Forces supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

General North was commissioned in 1976 after completing East Carolina University's ROTC program as a distinguished graduate. He has held numerous operational, command and staff positions, and has completed seven overseas tours. His last assignment was the Director for Operations at U.S. Pacific Command. 

The Base Community Council is an organization that allows base and regional leaders to identify common interests and to support those mutual concerns. It is also chartered to increase civilian understanding of the Air Force mission and to establish harmonious relationships through mutual understanding and joint participation in common activities. Anyone interested in Columbus Air Force base is eligible to be a member. Membership applications will be available Thursday night. 

Daedalians are asked to arrive at 5:30 p.m. Base Community Council members are asked to arrived between 6:15 to 6:30 p.m. for a quick business meeting from 6:30 to 6:45 p.m. Blaze members are asked to arrive at 6:45 p.m. 

Cost for the buffet dinner will be $15 for club members, $17 for non club members eligible for membership. All BLAZE Team members are invited to attend the dinner. Seating will be very limited; RSVPs will be required by COB today by calling 434-7395 or 434-7024.