Former Holloman wing commander returns

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Heather Stanton
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  A former Holloman wing commander, who served in the position from May 2004 to May 2006, returned to the Friendliest Place on Earth to speak to Airmen about his experiences while deployed to Iraq and how the Air Force remains engaged in the War on Terror. 

While here, Maj. Gen. Kurt Cichowski, the former deputy chief of staff for Strategy, Plans and Assessments to Multi-National Force-Iraq, has to outprocess the base and update records after spending more than a year in the AOR. 

While there, he had a chance to see the progress being made by the Iraqis and had a hand in future endeavors. 

"Iraq is getting better," said the general. "Violence has gone down since March and the economy is getting better." 

Violence in Iraq is lessening because the Iraqi security forces are patrolling the streets in the local communities and the people are responding to them, said General Cichowski. The Iraqi people have also realized they can do something about their own security by calling in improvised explosive devices on the street. 

The economy in Iraq is getting better because major companies such as Wal-Mart are signing contracts with companies in Iraq, making many jobs available, said the general. 

The general said that in the near future, many things will be seen differently in the AOR, such as "big name" news reporters going out with brigade combat teams and getting the story about improvements in the country. 

The crowd of both officer and enlisted Airmen appreciated the perspective the general gave about what to look forward to in future deployments. 

"I found his speech to be enlightening," said Airman 1st Class Holly Petrich, 49th Maintenance Squadron ammunitions apprentice. "He made me feel that our efforts in Iraq are shedding light on the whole situation over there. It was interesting to hear about the efforts over there from someone who actually has a first-hand look at what is really happening over there. It made me feel better about our troops being over there." 

The general will be at Holloman long enough to outprocess and head to his next assignment as the vice commander of Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlbert Field, Fla. 

"It's great to be back here in the U.S.," said General Cichowski. "To see family and friends is great."