Under Secretary of the Air Force Matt Lohmeier visited with U.S. Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa and U.S. Space Forces in Europe and Space Forces Africa leadership, Airman and Guardians during an immersion visit at Ramstein Air Base, Sept. 24.
The visit, which included stops at the USAFE-AFAFRICA headquarters, SPACEFOREUR-AF headquarters, 86th Air Wing, 603rd Air Operations Center, and 435th Air Ground Operations Wing, provided an opportunity for Lohmeier to meet with command leaders and subject matter experts, who offered insights on current and future missions, challenges and opportunities.
"It's a true privilege to visit Ramstein and see firsthand all the critical missions they execute in support of our warfighters," Lohmeier said. "The motivation, service and expertise they display give me confidence our warfighters are ready to fight and win. We, as senior leaders, need to ensure they receive the most technologically advanced capabilities to execute their mission."
He started the day off with a workout session with SPACEFOREUR-AF Guardians and leadership, reinforcing that maintaining physical standards helps ensure military members are resilient and ready for anything the service demands of them.
"Fitness is part of readiness, and leaders have to set that example," Lohmeier said. "Whether you are at home station, deployed or on the road, taking care of yourself physically helps ensure you are prepared to lead and accomplish the mission."
Then Lohmeier received briefings on command missions and current operations. He spoke with U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Jason T. Hinds, USAFE-AFAFRICA commander, to discuss how the command defends the strategic approaches to the United States and generates airpower across two continents in support of U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command.
"It was extremely valuable to meet with General Hinds to discuss how USAFE-AFAFAFRICA protects the U.S. homeland with our allies and partners," Lohmeier said. "It is clear that our forces project combat-ready airpower in Europe, Africa and beyond, deter aggression, and are prepared to win decisively should deterrence fail."
He also joined Airman and Guardians for a working lunch at the installation dining facility where he heard directly about their mission challenges and successes, offering ongoing leadership support as they work to maintain readiness and a focus on warrior culture.
The visit continued with a tour of the Air Defense Operations Center, a first-of-its-kind facility in the Air Force to become operational. The ADOC is designed to detect and counter emerging aerial threats to help subject matter experts build an approach that is catered to those threats and host nation considerations throughout Europe.
Lohmeier finished the visit by meeting with U.S. Space Force Brig. Gen. Christopher Fernengel, SPACEFOREUR-AF commander, to discuss joint warfighting initiatives and integration with other combatant command components. As a rapidly changing warfighting environment unfolds, a shared understanding and collaboration of how space capabilities are planned and employed is critical to the success of the joint force.
Lohmeier's visit is a part of a larger European area of responsibility immersion to engage with Airmen and Guardians throughout the theater. He also recognized multiple members with coining ceremonies for their exemplary service.
"Readiness starts with our people," Lohmeier said. "The professionalism and commitment to readiness from the Airmen and Guardians I met at Ramstein today are exactly what our Air Force needs as we prepare to defeat the threats in theater."
