49th FW commander newest AF general

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Terri Barriere
  • 49FW/PA
The scene was just short of a family reunion Friday as the 49th Fighter Wing commander was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in a morning ceremony at Heritage Park. 

Brig. Gen. David Goldfein, 49 FW commander, received his first star and was welcomed into the ranks of general officer by none other than his own older brother Maj. Gen. Stephen Goldfein, incoming Air Combat Command vice commander. 

"I think it's an incredible honor to have been chosen for this," said Maj. Gen. Goldfein. "He could have picked anyone, but he chose me." 

The new general had only one word to express his feelings after his promotion ceremony: humbling. 

"Today is a humbling day," he said. "There are a lot of folks who did an incredible amount of work to make this possible." 

The general said getting to this point took great family support and a lot of mentors who put in a lot of hard work and time to teach him. 

"This represents a lot of time on behalf of my folks," he said. "I've learned over the years that promotion to a higher rank in our business has less to do with what the promotee accomplishes and far more to do with what people around him accomplish." 

According to Maj. Gen. Goldfein it takes four key components to become a general officer. It takes character, teamwork, individual performance and of course a need for general officers in the Air Force. 

"I believe before us we have an officer of character, who has been a valued team member, who has pulled his share of the load and who has the skills to serve as a brigadier general," said Maj. Gen. Goldfein in his speech. 

Also in attendance at the ceremony were the general's wife, his parents, daughters and a host of other close friends and family members who all showed up in support of the general. 

"There's no way of measuring the pride a father has in his kids who have achieved what all three of my sons have done," said Col.(ret.) Bill Goldfein. 

The general's father wasn't the only proud family member by far. 

"I always knew he'd be successful, that's why I hung out with him in high school," said his wife Dawn jokingly. 

Keeping with the theme of the ceremony - family -- General Goldfein's first salute as a brigadier general was rendered by his daughter Danielle, a Reserve Officers' Training Corps student at Texas A&M University. 

"That was cool," said the general about the moment. "That was one moment where I got choked up ... it was special." 

Maj. Gen. Goldfein wrapped up his speech with words of wisdom for his little brother.
"I speak for everyone here when I say we are proud of you today," he said. "But we also remind you that to whom much is given, much is expected.' We are counting on you to set the example for all, lead us to victory in all we do and make each of us proud. We all offer our very best wishes and congratulations."