Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Ryan, accompanied by his wife, Jane, met with base and community leaders and spoke with the wing's Operation Northern Watch veterans during their four-and-a-half hour visit.

"We rely on this wing to supply real combat support for the Air Force, and we rely on this community's support of the wing to make that happen," he said, following a wing mission briefing attended by base and local leaders.

The general noted front-line combat organizations like the 4th FW are able to pick up, move out and set up combat operations fast and effectively. He said this is exactly what the country must have.

The general had lunch with airmen at the dining hall, visited the 4th Equipment Maintenance Squadron and the medical group's Koritz Clinic before observing a force protection demonstration by security forces.

While visiting with the aircrews and maintenance professionals from the 335th and 336th Fighter Squadrons, the general received a briefing from the 4th Operations Group on the wing's role in ONW.

"I have put a lot of pressure on this wing as I have the entire Air Force," he said. "In ONW, the F-15E is the vehicle of choice; we really like to use it."

The 4th FW flew ONW combat missions from April to December of 1999; this was the longest sustained bombing campaign by the wing since Vietnam, according to Col. Ralph Jodice, 4th OG commander.

Ryan congratulated aircrews along with maintenance, intelligence, and other support professionals involved in the effort. He explained more funding for maintenance and equipment upgrades of the aircraft would be coming soon, putting maintainers' minds at ease since Seymour flies the oldest of the Air Force's F-15Es.

While Ryan visited the operations and support areas, Mrs. Ryan was touring works in progress for Seymour's quality of life improvements. She toured the old and newly renovated family housing areas, visited an older dormitory and one recently renovated for single airmen. She also saw the renovation of the new 1-plus-1 dorm and the first phase of renovation of the Berkeley Village family housing area.

Ryan held an all-ranks commander's call and closed his visit with a media conference, answering questions regarding the 4th FW's role as an air expeditionary wing, the proposed location for the F-22 Raptor air superiority fighter and retention issues.

The general said the 4th FW could rest easy knowing the AEW status of the base will allow its people to lead more normal lives because of the predictability of future deployments. He did concede, however, that if an all-out war breaks out, the Air Force would not operate under the expeditionary aerospace force concept to support a major operation.

Ryan also focused on retention issues and explained some of the changes being made in the Air Force and Department of Defense to make the Air Force a more attractive career choice.

He noted the retirement system has gone back to its original form before it was changed in 1986 and pay increases over the next few years. He emphasized the need for medical care, not only for active-duty people and their families but for retirees as well.

"Retirees are our best recruiters," he said. "They deserve a lot better than what they're getting now."

The general said Langley Air Force Base, Va., is the proposed location for the new F-22 Raptor. But, this aircraft placement may not happen for another couple of years, he said.

The chief of staff said he enjoyed his visit to Seymour and the 4th FW. After leading the Air Force for two-and-a-half years, he said he still enjoys his job.

"How could you not have fun leading the best Air Force in the world," the general said. "I love this job."(Article Courtesy USAF Press Release)