JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
The Air Force welcomed an Airman to the rank of four-star
general and announced the appointment of the new Air Force vice chief of staff
during a ceremony at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington D.C. Aug. 6.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III presided
over the ceremony for Gen. David L. Goldfein in front of a crowd of more than
1,000 Airmen and distinguished visitors that included Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, several U.S. ambassadors, current and
former members of the 720th Special Tactics Group and first responders from the
New York City Fire Department among others.
“General Goldfein knows this isn’t a reward, it’s a
challenge,” Welsh said. “He respects the opportunity; he is not intimidated by
it, and he also acknowledges the unbelievable privilege it represents. He
deserves this promotion, and more importantly, the Air Force deserves his
leadership.”
As the previous director of the Joint Staff at the Pentagon,
Goldfein assisted the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in fulfilling his
responsibilities as the principal military adviser to the president and
secretary of Defense. He developed and provided strategic direction, policy
guidance and planning focus to the Joint Staff and fostered clear communication
among the president, secretary of Defense, unified commands and the services.
With more than 4,200 flying hours since his commission from
the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1983, Goldfein has flown combat missions in
operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Northern Watch, Allied Force and
Enduring Freedom.
During the ceremony, Col. J.J. Johnson, the commander of the
720th STG, made several presentations to recognize Goldfein’s history with the
special operations unit that started nearly two decades ago behind enemy lines.
“For those of you who don’t know it, General Goldfein was
shot down over Kosovo,” Johnson said. “Sixteen years, three months and four
days ago (today), a rescue team from the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron went in
and brought him back. Every year on the anniversary of that day, he sends the
unit a bottle of scotch. Today, we want to return the favor.”
After thanking those in attendance and remembering the
heroes who helped him during his career, Goldfein ended the ceremony with a
promise.
“It’s not about what we do, but who we are,” he said. “My
promise to you, with this fourth star, is that I will do my best to be a better
man, husband, father and a better officer for the Air Force.”