AETC Commander visits Goodfellow Published Sept. 21, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Jessica Keith 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- For the first time since taking command, Gen. Edward Rice, Commander of Air Education and Training Command, visited Goodfellow Sept. 14-15, getting a first-hand look at the wing's mission, and holding an "All Call" to address base personnel and their concerns. He was accompanied by his wife, Teresa Rice, Chief Master Sgt. James Cody, AETC Command Chief, and his wife, Athena Cody. During their time here, some of the group's stops included the 17th Training Group, the Ross Clinic and the Western Winds dining hall. The general and chief also took time to recognize numerous individuals for their accomplishments by presenting them with coins at stops around the wing. "It was a real privilege to host General Rice, Chief Cody, and their spouses, and to show them all the great things Team Goodfellow is accomplishing," said Col. Mark Damiano, 17th Training Wing Commander. "The general was impressed with the team here as well as the community members he had the opportunity to interact with." While touring the 17th TRG, the group watched students perform a fire extinguishing demonstration at the Louis F. Garland Fire Academy. Later, they visited the new 200-room enlisted dormitory, building 3135. General Rice and Chief Cody observed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance warriors in action during Lone Star and Lone Shark capstone exercises, and visited with foreign students at the International Military Student Office, while Mrs. Rice and Mrs. Cody met with spouses at the Airman and Family Readiness Center. They thanked the spouses for their service and discussed the importance of providing a network of support through the Key Spouse program. Mrs. Rice and Mrs. Cody also toured the library, chapel, fitness center, Health and Wellness Center, youth programs facilities, and the Recreation Camp at Lake Nasworthy. The general, chief, and their spouses also got a glimpse of San Angelo's history during a special civic leader event at Fort Concho. During the event, General Rice interacted with more than 50 community leaders and thanked them for their continued support of Goodfellow. San Angelo Chamber of Commerce President Phil Neighbors said he's glad the general was able to experience first-hand the partnership between the base and community. "Having the opportunity to host AETC Commander General Rice to a fun event at historic Fort Concho and getting to demonstrate the community's strong support of Goodfellow's people and its mission was a special treat for the Chamber," Neighbors said. Before departing the base, General Rice and Chief Cody addressed Team Goodfellow members and answered questions during an All Call. "One of the great aspects of my job as the AETC Commander is that I don't have to worry about whether or not what we do is 'important,'" General Rice told the audience. "I know that everything that happens in the Air Force depends on the people in this command getting what we do 'right.' We develop the types of Airmen who will be able to take our Air Force into the decades that we have ahead of us." The general and command chief responded to questions from the audience ranging from changes to pipeline students' physical fitness standards, increasing job demands and potential cutbacks, and improving energy efficiency, among other topics. "I was impressed that he took the time to address our concerns," said Airman 1st Class Alex Selgado, 17th Comptroller Squadron. "I enjoyed the fact that he was interested in seeing first-hand how we operate here because we are a critical step in Airmen's careers and their ability to fulfill the Air Force's mission." General Rice and Chief Cody have already toured several AETC bases and are scheduled to visit the remaining bases over the next several months.
