AETC commander motivates Presidio of Monterey Airmen

  • Published
  • By Maj. Joseph Schneider
  • 311th Training Squadron
PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif --  For a few short but action-packed hours on March 4 and 5, Gen. Stephen Lorenz, commander Air Education and Training Command, visited Airmen at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. General Lorenz kicked off his visit with a DLIFLC mission briefing by the commandant, Col. Sue Ann Sandusky, followed by a 517th Training Group briefing by the group commander, Col. William Bare, joined by leadership from the 311th and 314th Training Squadrons.

Faculty and multi-service students in one of the Arabic classes at DLIFLC's Middle East III School, demonstrated some of the latest language learning technology being employed by DLIFLC during an in-class session with General Lorenz, sparking comments from the general about the importance of innovation in the present and future of education and training. The general then had an opportunity to see and hear first-hand from Airmen, the importance of learning the various dialects in the Arabic-speaking world.

One of the highlights of the generals visit happened early on the morning of March 5, when he recognized and coined several outstanding performers among the Air Force staff and students and then addressed a massive combined formation of 311 and 314 TRS Airmen, providing motivational words about the importance of the training mission in Monterey. Regarding their long and difficult training pipeline, General Lorenz offered his full support and encouraged them to never give up.

"Tenacity and perseverance always win out!" the general exhorted.

General Lorenz also had the honor of cutting the ceremonial ribbon on the new Air Force Heritage Exhibit that now stands between the 311 and 314 TRS building. The exhibit was designed as a tribute to Air Force cryptologic linguists who have fallen in the line of duty, spanning from 1953 over the Sea of Japan through the most recent in 2005 in Albania.

General Lorenz concluded his visit by joining a group of approximately 20 staff members and students for breakfast, providing them with more insight into AETC and his leadership philosophy.

"You are doing amazing work here," the general remarked, and reminded them of the great opportunity at hand to make a significant contribution to the nation's defense. "The Air Force allows ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Thank you for what you do and I ask you to make a difference every day in people's lives," he concluded.

Air Force staff and students here are making a difference and experiencing that opportunity every day. Having the chance to spend valuable time with one of the Air Force's top leaders was just such a moment.