18th Air Force commander visits new joint base

Published Oct. 6, 2009
By Pasqual Flores and 2nd Lt. Carolyn Glover

Joint Base McGuire-dix-Lakehurst, N.J. -- Lt. Gen. Robert Allardice, 18th Air Force and U.S. Air Force Transportation commander, visited the Department of Defense's only tri-service base Oct. 1 - 2.

As the commander of the 18th Air Force, responsible for more than 51,000 active-duty Airmen and more than 1,400 airlifts and air refueling aircraft, General Allardice holds a position of key responsibility in the Air Force's vast range of global operations. He manages a streamlined organization that focuses an air mobility warfighting capability by unleashing forces inherent in the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center, two other expeditionary mobility task forces, 18 wings and one stand-alone group.

General Allardice inspected prevailing conditions at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and consulted with senior leadership about what the future might hold.

Col. Gina Grosso, Joint Base Commander, escorted General Allardice, his wife, Susan, and Chief Master Sgt. James Cody, 18th Air Force command chief, as they made their way around the base. Throughout the two days, the group learned all the ins and outs of the new joint base, visiting a variety of key sites throughout McGuire, Dix, and Lakehurst.

First on the agenda was a visit to Lakehurst for a windshield tour of the installation. The following day, General Allardice met with Army Support Activity Commander, Col. Patrick Slowey, and 72nd Field Artillery Brigade Commander, Col. Timothy Williams, at the Joint Readiness Center at Dix.

Colonel Slowey briefed General Allardice on the operations of the ASA and the many functions and benefits it provides the new joint-base community and the various government agencies that frequent its ranges, fields and facilities. Colonel Williams then described the many intricacies involved in mobilizing service members from Reserve components to active-duty forces. "It generally takes thirty-five to forty days for a Soldier to mobilize through ASA Dix," Colonel Williams said.

General Allardice's last stop on Dix was the Warfighter and Family Readiness Center on Doughboy Loop. Chief of the WFRC, Joan Cole, gave him a rundown on the functions and resources that help keep service members high-charged and ready to go. "We provide service members with a sense of belonging and value. Family members belong here and (should) take advantage of all the resources available to them," Ms. Cole said.

The distinguished party dedicated the remainder of the afternoon to touring the numerous facilities of the 87th Air Base Wing and 305th Air Mobility Wing at McGuire.

They explored many of the base's recently remodeled facilities, including the Halvorsen Hall Dining Facility and All American Inn. General Allardice and his party then visited the McGuire flightline, where they were given a special tour of the KC-10.

The 18th Air Force commander concluded his visit at the McGuire Community Center that night, where he was the keynote speaker at the first ever Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst dining out.