General attends ribbon cutting ceremony

  • Published
  • By Airman First Class Rochelle Clace
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  The commander of the 18th Air Force, from Scott Air Force Base, Ill., helped officials cut the ribbon on a combined headquarters at bldg. 318, April 16 during his visit to the base. 

"Today's ribbon cutting is a result of a 2005 base realignment and closure commission's findings, which allowed growth for Team Little Rock. This facility behind me will house the commanders and the staff of both the 19th Operations and Maintenance Groups, placing a vital piece of the Combat Airlift puzzle under one roof," said Col. Gregory Otey, 19th Airlift Wing commander. 

Colonel Otey said, it was an honor and a privilege to have the commander of the 18 AF, Maj. Gen. Winfield W. Scott III help with the cutting of the ribbon. 

"General Scott commands the largest numbered Air Force in the United States Air Force, he oversees the largest air operations center in the Air Force and is responsible for Air Mobility Command personnel and aircraft that average a takeoff every 90 seconds, everyday, all across the globe," said Colonel Otey. "General Scott knows and understands C-130 operations and he knows what it takes to produce Combat Airlift." 

During his visit to the base, General Scott expressed his gratitude for the hospitality the leadership, wing and community showed him and explained the purpose of his visit. 

"This is the home of Combat Airlift. I want to specifically thank Greg and Lisa Otey for their superb hospitality and the entire wing and the community. It literally knocked my socks off. It's great to be back in C-130 country," he said. 

"Primarily [the purpose of my visit was] to meet the great young Airmen that support the mission here at Little Rock, that are part of our great Air Force and are executing the mission over in the area of responsibility on an everyday basis. [I want to] get their feedback first hand, not filtered, on where the chief and I can help make them a more effective fighting machine," said General Scott. 

He also discussed the huge impact Team Little Rock has had on overseas contingency operations through continuous deployments. 

"When people see The Rock tail flash flying through Afghanistan and Iraq they know that there are professionals on that aircraft. Whether it's the aircraft or whether it's the security forces, civil engineering or expeditionary support forces, they know if The Rock's there, they're going to get the superb support that they need to execute the mission," he said. 

General Scott wanted to get a message out to the Airmen to look out for one another and to continue to strive to be the best. 

"This is a marathon and not a sprint. Watch your fellow Airmen. Take care of each other, stay focused and keep doing what you're doing," he said. 

"We certainly have some of the most dedicated and professional folks out here. No doubt the Airmen are doing great here," added Chief Master Sgt. James Cody, 18th Air Force command chief. 

During the ceremony, Colonel Otey expressed his gratitude to General Scott and Chief Cody for being in attendance at the ribbon cutting ceremony. 

"General Scott, thank you for coming down and helping us to cut the ribbon for our new operations maintenance building. Chief, thank you very much for all you do for our Airmen and being here today to help us cut this ribbon," said Colonel Otey. 

General Scott announced his retirement the day of the ceremony and explained that he couldn't think of a better place to be during his announcement then in C-130 country because "he's a C-130 guy."