AETC commander, command chief, visit Tyndall

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Reel
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - Air Education and Training Command commander General Edward A. Rice Jr., and Chief Master Sgt. James A. Cody, AETC command chief, accompanied by their wives, visited Tyndall Jan. 26 to Jan. 27.

Their visit marked General Rice's first trip to Tyndall and his first base visit since taking command of AETC in November 2010.

During this initial visit, General Rice and Chief Cody met with emergency services Airmen, toured the community police facility, the 325th Air Control Squadron, the F-22 Raptor simulator building and the 43rd Fighter Squadron. In addition, they took time to host an All Call and share breakfast and lunch with Team Tyndall Airmen.

While General Rice and Chief Cody's tour focused on the various mission areas of the 325th FW, Mrs. Teresa Rice and Mrs. Athena Cody, accompanied by General Browne's wife, Mrs. Alison Browne, on a tour of Tyndall's various quality of life initiatives, such as the brand new Tyndall Fitness Center and the newly-renovated Horizons Community Center.

During the All Call, General Rice and Chief Cody spoke to more than 400 Airmen, discussed their priorities for AETC and answered various questions.

The general addressed the recent repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' "I think what society will look to the Air Force to do is what we have always done, which is to enforce the laws of the land, be respectful of the laws of the land, and to treat every Airman that comes in with respect and dignity," General Rice said. "As long as we continue to meet those expectations not only of society, but of ourselves, I think that this transition will happen in a way that will make us a better force at the end of the day."

When asked what's the most singular important piece of advice that he can give today's Airmen, General Rice said, "I like to tell people they should think more about what they want to do, than what they want to be, and the rest of it will take care of itself."

Editor's Note: The general also added that he has a Twitter account @AETCBOSS on Twitter.com where he shares his thoughts and insights on what is happening in AETC.