2nd Air Force commander visits Monterey

Published Oct. 21, 2008
By Lt. Col. Paul Issler
311th Training Squadron commander

PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. -- Major General Alfred Flowers, 2nd Air Force commander, visited the Airmen of the 311th Training Squadron, 314th Training Squadron and Defense Language Institute Air Force Element this past week.

General Flowers was accompanied by Col. Richard Ayres, 17th Training Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Frederick Ricker, 17 TRW command chief master sergeant.

On Oct. 10 the general received unit mission briefs, heard proposals developed by the staff on how to improve the language training pipeline and had breakfast and lunch with a select group of Airmen and NCOs.

General Flowers addressed a combined formation of more than 1,400 Airmen learning 15 different languages where he provided words of encouragement as well as key insights into the critical role they will play in the on-going Global War on Terrorism. At the formation, he recognized a number of staff members for their sustained contributions to the education, training, and development of the next generation of Airmen linguists. General Flowers also took time to recognize the units quarterly award winners and assisted Colonel Ayres in 'tacking on' senior airman stripes for two recent below-the-zone promotees.

Following a full day with Airmen, General Flowers met with Army Col. Sue Ann Sandusky, Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center commandant, received a school house brief, toured a classroom and received a technology demonstration.

On Saturday, 400 Airmen of the Monterey Peninsula celebrated the 61st anniversary of the founding of the United States Air Force at a gala event at the Portola Plaza. As guest speaker, General Flowers provided inspirational words to all on the past, present and future of our Service.

During the event Airmen from the 311th and 314th Training Squadron's Honor Guard honored the memory of those who were Prisoners of War and Missing in Action in a solemn and symbolic ceremony.

To culminate the night's festivities, General Flowers was joined by the youngest member of the 311th Training Squadron, Airman Basic Lauren Arias, 17, to cut the ceremonial Air Force Birthday cake. This action symbolized the passing of heritage and knowledge from the most senior leadership through the ranks to the most junior Airman. Following the formal portion of the evening, staff and student bands took to the stage as entertainment.