944 FW commander visits 414 FG

  • Published
  • By By Tech. Sgt. Louis Vega Jr.
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, ARIZ. --  944th Fighter Wing leadership headed to North Carolina to visit with the 944th Airmen stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base last week.

Col. Kurt Gallegos, 944 FW commander and a few members of his staff including Chief Master Sgt. Rhonda Hutson, 944 FW command chief, Col. Paul Theisen, 944th Mission Support Group commander, and Lt. Col. James Goodwin, 944 FW Judge Advocate General (JAG), visited one of the wings geographically separated units, the 414th Fighter Group at Seymour Johnson AFB during their July unit training assembly.

The main purpose of the trip was to meet with Col. Christopher Freeman, 414th Fighter Group commander, to discuss issues of concern and visit with Airmen face-to-face to hear what they had to say. The group toured the units different facilities and were briefed on the 414th total force integration (TFI) effectiveness and each sections capabilities and accomplishments. They also attended a pilot graduation ceremony during the visit.

"The 944th Fighter Wing commander and command chief were able to witness first-hand why we are the best." said Freeman. "They were given an insight into the incredible responsibility we deliver every day to ensure F-15E aircrew and Intel students are poised to be successful in the combat squadrons they will ultimately serve. Overall, we demonstrated to our Fighter Wing leadership how our small but lethal Fighter Group does it the right way, the first time, every time."

During the tour, Airmen from the 414th FG provided various demonstrations and Gallegos and Hutson recognized superior performers by presenting them with the wing coin.

"I realized just how elite and special the F-15 Strike Eagle community is after attending the B-course graduation," said Hutson.  "The community here is rightly proud of their multi-faceted mission."

The B course graduation is a ceremony honoring new pilots as they move on into their respective flying communities and was one of the engagements the group attended.

"I truly appreciate what these warfighters bring to the forefront of air superiority," continued Hutson.

The visit ended with a 414th barbecue where Hutson participated in a "cornhole" tournament and Gallegos led a mentor motorcycle ride.

"It is always a treat visiting the 414th Fighter Group," said Gallegos. "Their performance and production is second-to-none. They are such a presence in our continuous efforts to make life better for our Airmen while strengthening the Wing and the Air Force Reserve."