LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Gen. Stephen Lorenz, commander, Air Education and Training Command, visited Lackland Air Force Base March 19 -20, one of several stops during his initial immersion of all AETC bases after taking command in 2008.
The general met with wing leadership and visited various host and tenant units across the base to get a first-hand look at how the Lackland members train and equip Airmen, and to develop a deeper understanding of the base's diverse missions.
Among his stops was a visit to the Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills Training course at the Lackland Training Annex to observe how trainees are taught basic self-defense, integrated base defense, self aid and buddy care, and improvised explosive device training in a field environment.
Master Sgt. Brian Price, 737th Training Support Squadron, said the general's visit went very well.
While at the BEAST site, the general took time to talk to BMT trainees and share how proud he was that the trainees had chosen to serve their country, Sergeant Price said.
"I'm impressed with everything I've seen at Lackland," General Lorenz said. "The level of professionalism and enthusiasm that goes into preparing Airmen for their service is unmatched. AETC's vision is to deliver unrivaled air, space and cyberspace education and training; nowhere is that being exemplified better than here as part of the first command."
General Lorenz stressed his priorities for the future of the command, saying that changes would be evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Lackland, he said, is leading the way in that department.
"Expanding Air Force Basic Military Training from six and a-half weeks to eight and a-half weeks last year was a big step in the right direction," he added.
The general's immersion included stops at Camp Bullis, the Inter-American Air Forces Academy and the Defense Language Institute English Language Center.
"Lackland's men and women are making sure Airmen have the training and skills needed to deploy and contribute to the joint mission," he said.
"Many will serve in combat in the near future and Team Lackland is making sure they will be ready to meet the deployment challenges."