JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- In preparation for his upcoming transition as the JBLM I Corps commanding general, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Gary Volesky received an orientation tour of McChord Field, hosted by 62nd Airlift Wing leadership here, March 2.
The tour, designed to familiarize Volesky with prominent wing missions and platforms, featured an interactive C-17 mission brief and visit to the 62nd Maintenance Squadron where he received a briefing on Home Station Check. On each leg of the tour, Volesky talked with Airmen about their respective missions and how they fit into the joint operations picture at JBLM.
“With [Maj.] Gen. Volesky being the incoming I Corps commander, we wanted to educate him about Air Force mission sets, what our Airmen do, and look for more opportunities for joint training and readiness,” said Col. Leonard Kosinski, 62nd AW commander.
Volesky, whose last visit to JBLM was 27 years ago, was pleased with the interoperability observed since his arrival and is looking forward to taking the helm of I Corps in the future.
“When I was last here, it was Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base,” Volesky said. “Now it’s Team JBLM. The important role Airmen, Soldiers and other components play in the fight is compounded when we come together. It benefits the mission, and everyone on the installation.”
Before tour’s end, Volesky had an opportunity to hear about capabilities such as the Joint Precision Airdrop System, Prime Nuclear Airlift Force, Operation Deep Freeze and the 446th Airlift Wing Aeromedical Evacuation mission.
Kosinski was pleased with the exchange of information that took place throughout the day.
“A lot of great questions were asked, and I believe [Maj.] Gen. Volesky walked away knowing a lot about our Airmen and what we do here.”
In addition to increased awareness of the Air Force mission here, Volesky concluded the tour with renewed appreciation for the opportunity to command.
“I’m really proud to say I get to serve with the great teammates I’ve encountered here at JBLM.”