Florida Senator Rubio visits Tyndall

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Reel
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Florida Senator, Marco Rubio, visited Tyndall AFB for the first time since being elected in 2010.

The senator received a tour of Tyndall during a familiarization visit to meet base personnel and have an inside look of Tyndall's mission.

Military Legislative Assistant, Brian Walsh, State Director, Todd Reid, Region Director, Kris Tande, and Secretary of the Air Force Legislative Liaison, Lt. Col. Lori Largen, accompanied Senator Rubio on his visit.

He began his visit with lunch at the base dining facility with Brigadier General John McMullen, 325th Fighter Wing commander, Command Chief Master Sgt. Jackie Green, 325th FW command chief, and Airmen from different base organizations.

During the luncheon, Gen. McMullen briefly discussed the role of Airmen and civilian contractors in Tyndall's mission.

Airmen then had the opportunity to ask the senator questions about his goals in office.

"I was pleasantly surprised to meet with the senator," said Staff Sgt. Lishey Brown, 1st Air Force personnel readiness analyst. "It was the first time I had seen a senator meet with service members. I think his idea of having lunch with us to hear our issues was really admirable."

"I felt the discussion was really positive," added Staff Sgt. Brown." He seemed in tune and it was good to know he already heard about some of the concerns we have had with healthcare and retirement."

The senator also returned questions to the Airmen about past deployments and their daily life in the military.

After the luncheon he attended a mission briefing at the 325th FW Headquarters building. The briefing was given by Gen. McMullen, Colonel David Reynolds, Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency commander, and Dr. Albert Rhodes, Chief of Air Base Technologies Division, Air Force Research Laboratory.

He then departed for a tour of the base stopping at the 43rd Fighter Squadron for an F-22 Raptor and a T-38 Talon display. He was briefed on the aircrafts' capabilities and their role at Tyndall.

On his tour he also visited the fire department followed by a stop at the 601st Air and Space Operations Center for a tour with Gen. McMullen and Colonel Randall Spear, 601st AOC commander.

"I echo my fellow AOC leadership staff when I say that we feel it is very important to share with government officials and Florida leaders the vital mission that we do here," said Col. Randy Spear, "vital not only for the state of Florida but for the nation!"

Throughout his tour the senator expressed his gratitude to Tyndall's military members. "I appreciate all of you taking the time to accommodate me," said Senator Rubio. "I am truly honored by your service and all that you do for our country."

"Because I don't have a seat on the Armed Forces Board, I feel it's important for me to get out here and see what our military members do, as well as see what can be improved," added Senator Rubio.

Tyndall is the first of four bases he visited during this trip. He continued to the Naval Support Activity Panama City, Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field, Fort Walton, Fla.