'It was a great flight'

Lt. Gen. Charles Stenner, Jr., (right) jokes with Lt. Col. David Condit, 731st Airlift Squadron navigator and 302nd Airlift Wing MAFFS program manager, after a modular airborne firefighting system, orientation flight Nov. 12 at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. General Stenner, commander of the Air Force Reserve, visited the base to gain a better understanding of the wing and its sister unit, the 310th Space Wing, based at Schriever AFB, Colo. Together with a demonstration flight, the general also held a question-and-answer session at the base's club. The MAFFS system is used in wild land firefighting missions when called up to support state officials in the U.S. when all other firefighting methods have been exhausted. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ann Skarban)

Talking with his Airmen

Lt. Gen. Charles Stenner, Jr., speaks with members of the 302nd Airlift Wing during a town hall question-and-answer session Nov. 12 at the Peterson Air Force Base club in Colorado. General Stenner, commander of the Air Force Reserve, visited the base to gain a better understanding of the wing and its sister unit, the 310th Space Wing, based at Schriever AFB, Colo. General Stenner was also given a demonstration on the airlift wing's modular airborne firefighting system, or 'MAFFS' unit. The unit is used in wild land firefighting missions when called up to support state officials in the U.S. when all other firefighting methods have been exhausted. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ann Skarban)

AFRC commander sees 'MAFFS' first hand

A C-130H delivers a powerful blast of water Nov. 12 during a modular airborne firefighting system, or 'MAFFS' demonstration in Lincoln County, Colo. The demonstration was part of an up-close look of the 302nd Airlift Wing during a visit with Lt. Gen. Charles Stenner, Jr., commander of Air Force Reserve Command. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Stephen Collier)

MAFFS approved

Lt. Gen. Charles Stenner, Jr., proudly presents his modular airborne firefighting system, or 'MAFFS' coin and patch Nov. 12 after a system's orientation flight at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. General Stenner, commander of the Air Force Reserve, visited the base to gain a better understanding of the wing and its sister unit, the 310th Space Wing, based at Schriever AFB, Colo. Together with a demonstration flight on the firefighting system, the general also held a question-and-answer session at the base's club. The MAFFS system is used in wild land firefighting missions when called up to support state officials in the U.S. when all other firefighting methods have been exhausted. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ann Skarban)

AFRC commander sees 302nd AW mission for first time

Published Nov. 12, 2008
By Derrick Gildner
302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner, Jr., Commander of the Air Force Reserve, addressed the members of the 302nd Airlift Wing during a town hall meeting Nov. 12.

"I'm pleased to be out here seeing the people that really are where the rubber meets the road," said General Stenner. "The Airmen of the 302nd are doing a wonderful job with all of their missions, which are represented worldwide. "

The meeting was held at the Peterson Consolidated Club, which was filled with more than 180 Airmen, Air Reserve Technicians, civilians and support staff that make up the Reserve's only airborne fire fighting airlift wing.

Col. James Muscatell, Jr. officiated and said the wing is honored to host this unique meeting with their "new leader," General Stenner.

In his opening remarks to the group, the general said that the Reserve is in "a period of transition."

"The Air Force is tasked as a Total Force to commit to fixing our top priority, the nuclear enterprise mission," the general said. "It is the Secretary of the Air Force's, (Michael Donley) number one priority for the Active, Reserve and Guard components to collaborate and execute the creation of the Global Strike Command. Through various associations and working with our active and guard teammates we will need all of us to regain total focus on the nuclear mission and gain the credibility of our nation," he added.

General Stenner laid out the various strategic and short term goals that the Reserve command is undertaking to improve and address the concerns of the men and women who work under his new leadership.

He said his immediate goal is to keep the Air Force Reserve on a steady course as it works with its active duty and Air National Guard partners.

Describing the Total Force concept, the general said, "The line between regular and reserve forces is indistinguishable, and we are the benchmark service for the joint team on how to integrate the right way."

General Stenner acknowledged sacrifices made by the families and civilian employers of all reservists, as he ended his comments thanking those in attendance.

"Your game face is great; you are providing what is asked of you. Now I need to work and deliver for you at the top by working the issues that most affect you," he said.

The 302nd AW flies C-130 cargo aircraft, which can be equipped with special modular, slide-in Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System, or 'MAFFS' units allowing them to drop up to 3,000 gallons of retardant on wild land fires. There are a total of eight MAFFS units used by the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard combined. The military MAFFS equipped aircraft are activated through U.S. Northern Command, based on an agreement with the Department of Agriculture when the civilian fleet of air tankers is committed during periods of high fire activity.

General Stenner is a command pilot with more than 3,500 flying hours in the F-4 Phantom, A-10 Thunderbolt and F-16 Fighting Falcon.

To see what questions members of the 302nd AW asked of the general, visit our Web site at www.302aw.afrc.af.mil. A link will be available to the questions and the general's answers soon.

For more on this story and other news highlights, see the upcoming winter edition of the Front Range Flyer online.