12 AF commander checks out Holloman's new assets

  • Published
  • By Airman Sondra M. Wieseler
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  On the heels of the arrival of Holloman's first two F-22A Raptors, the 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern commander popped in to see how things were going.

Lt. Gen. Norman Seip spent the day here June 17 touring the base and speaking with Holloman's senior leaders.

"As always, I came away very impressed with Team Holloman and with the men and woman on the 49th Fighter Wing," said General Seip. "Each and every one of them is just ordinary Airmen doing extraordinary things for our Air Force each and every day."

He also attended an Aircrew Flight Equipment presentation where the 49th Fighter Wing Nighthawk AFE was presented the award of Outstanding Air Combat Command Aircrew Flight Equipment Large Program of the year for 2007 in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the AFE program.

Holloman is the first base under General Seip's command to receive the F-22 and during his visit, the general received a brief F-22 training session on the flight line.

After the touring the new Holloman, equipped with the F-22, he said he was impressed with the work every member of Team Holloman has done.

"It's been well thought out leading up to the actual arrival of the airplanes and the plans that are in place now as we grow," said General Seip. "The wing is postured for success that starts with the leadership of Col. Jeff Harrigian, (49th FW commander), all the way down to the youngest Airmen that just showed up to be part of the 49 FW."

He also spoke of his impression of the recent F-22A Arrival Ceremony and Total Force Integration Announcement.

"The whole ceremony and the events leading up to it were typical 49'er standard which were first-class from start to finish," said the general. "It was a great way to introduce a new mission to Holloman AFB."

Although the Air Force has recently experienced a shift in leadership, General Seip wanted Airmen to know that "we'll be okay".

"Let's remember what's important about our Air Force when it comes to our foundation," said the general. "That foundation is built on our character, our strength, our integrity, our attention to detail, our inherence to rules and regulations and doing the right thing all the time, anytime."