JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
Lt. Gen. L. Scott Rice, Air National Guard director, visited the 149th Fighter Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland May 19 to tour the facilities and interact with its members.
The general was joined on his visit by Chief Master Sgt. Ron Anderson, command chief for the Air National Guard, and other members of the Texas Military Department’s leadership.
The visit was one of several stops the general plans to make to the 90 wings that make up the Air National Guard.
During his visit, Rice held an all-call where he addressed various issues facing today’s Guardsmen.
One of the issues discussed involved the transition to the Operational Camouflage Pattern uniform. Air Force leaders recently announced the Air Force would transition to a single combat utility uniform beginning Oct. 1, 2018.
The Air National Guard command chief said the decision to transition the OCP uniform was two-fold: “At the end of the day, we recognize that having one uniform is a whole lot easier to manage,” Anderson said. “It was also the desire of the airmen who saw the value of the uniforms.”
During the Q&A session, Rice and Anderson also discussed topics ranging from the evolution of the Guard mission as it relates to the total force to domestic operations .
Rice gave assurances that the role of today’s Guardsmen matters.
“The world is a crazy, dangerous place, and your positive energy and your patriotic service and taking care of your family really makes a difference,” Rice said.
The general’s overall message to the members attending the all-call was one of gratitude.
“We’re thankful for what you do,” Rice said. “You do an exceptional job at the mission and we are honored by your service to our country and your patriotism at serving something greater than yourself.”