AFSOC vice commander praises Kadena group

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Marilyn C. Holliday
  • 353rd Special Operations Group Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  The Air Force Special Operations Command vice commander recently shared his views on today's special operations efforts and the dedication of today's Airmen during a recent visit to Kadena. 

Maj. Gen. Donald C. Wurster has been AFSOC's vice commander since February 2006 and will soon step up to the commander's position after Lt. General Michael Wooley's retirement in October. He was on island visiting members of the 353rd Special Operations Group. 

"This is a group that's running on all eight cylinders and doing it well," he said. "The success in achieving the mission, and in managing aging aircraft is remarkable. Particularly commendable is the 353rd's terrific safety record. The group's accomplishing a difficult mission on short notice at high speed." 

The general credited strong relationships as key to the group's success. 

"The Joint Special Ops team that the 353rd is a part of and a key enabler for is one of the reasons that our special ops forces are so effective," he said. "We have standing relationships between joint forces and an in-place command-and-control structure that enables us to put a joint force, with great speed and agility, exactly where the theater commander needs it." 

He also highlighted the need to think like an Airman when working in a joint environment. 

"Joint operations are the way of the future," the general said. "It is essential to producing the strategic success our country needs. But, never apologize for thinking like an Airman in a joint world. Our perceptions of centralized control and decentralized execution are different than other services, but they are valuable." 

When speaking of the command's high operations tempo, the general said "it's always been high but not impossible." 

"People have adapted and we have prioritized to make sure we have invested the time and people in areas that make the biggest difference in the global war on terror," he said. "There is more going on now in AFSOC than there has been in my entire career in AFSOC. If you look at the things we have done in the past, any one of them was a major event. Right now we are accomplishing more major tasks than ever before." 

Another issue the general referred to was the recent transition of the MC-130E force, preparing the ground work for the center wing box replacement on the MC-130H and AC-130U, the deliveries of the CV-22, the creation of an unmanned aerial vehicle squadron and adding 2,000 people to the command, plus 24 new transport aircraft during the next five years. 

"There are a lot of issues in motion as we continue to contribute to the global war on terrorism," he said. "We have learned so much of late and all of these issues have determined what we need to incorporate in future operations. As the air component of U.S. Special Operations Command, we provide the critical air piece of the joint team."
General Wurster also discussed the changes in special operations. 

"We're moving in the direction of a force that cannot only respond to the kinetic and tactical leads with speed and agility," he said, "but also in the business of knowing where to go to prevent, preempt or divert attacks on our country. I think that's the biggest change in special ops. We no longer are operating in a way that waits for someone to tell us what needs to be done. We're actively seeking out what needs to be done in order for us to prevent an attack. 

"Getting the job done will always remain the top issue," he said. "In order to get the job done our priorities are aligned closely to those of the Air Force." 

The general listed supporting the global war on terror, recapitalization of our aircraft and people as the top priorities for AFSOC. 

"We must take care of our people," he said. "It's our responsibility to train and employ people wisely and appreciate the sacrifices they're making for our country." 

With people in mind, the general spoke of his father serving in the Air Force for 30 years and his own 33-year career. He said the biggest difference in today's Air Force from the past is its people and their the education levels. 

"In the early days of the service, the Air Force had the lowest rate of bachelor's degrees amongst the services," he said. "Early Air Force was not an education-oriented one. The primary reason was that the Air Force took what it could get to make the mission happen. The emphasis we've placed on education and training in the officer and enlisted corps is probably the biggest single difference. If you look at the Airmen we have coming in the Air Force today, they're the smartest and the most creative and we train them well." 

The quality of the people who make up the Air Force is what makes our service remarkable, according to General Wurster. 

"We've always had the selfless perspective of our young enlisted force, but the quality of the people coming into the Air Force is remarkable," he said. "When the civic leaders from our local communities look at our Airmen, they have a hard time understanding how you can take a 19- or 20-year-old person and bond them into an organization. We tell them what they should do and expect them to do it well and then find them completely committed to producing success in any specialty." 

The Air Force's ultimate success has hinged on America's home structure, the general said.

"Honestly, we should thank the moms and dads who raised American citizens who want to serve their country," he said. "The Air Force is the benefactor of those families and we are responsible for how we take care of those citizens."