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Gen. Mike Minihan, Commander of Air Mobility Command, visits the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station June 8, 2024.

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22nd Air Force commander visits Niagara Airmen

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Andrew Caya
  • 914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --  During a visit to Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, U.S. Air Force Maj Gen Wallace Farris Jr., 22nd Air Force commander, visited with Airmen and toured base facilities during the 914th Airlift Wing's Unit Training Assembly 8 and 9 September.

As 22nd Air Force Commander, Farris is responsible for the Reserve's air mobility and air refueling operations from locations in 23 states across America. With more than 13,500 Reservists and 149 unit-equipped aircraft, 22nd Air Force contributes daily to the Air Force's worldwide operational mission.

Farris, a former 914th Airlift Wing commander, toured the installation he used to command viewing several new buildings and projects including the new Community Activities Center and the new indoor small arms firing range.

After the tour he met with hundreds of Citizen Airmen, spoke to them and facilitated a question and answer period about issues affecting the Air Force Reserve including career progression, training, culture, physical fitness standards, and force structure.
"He didn't just answer our questions, he explained the big picture to us from a 22nd Air Force perspective," said Airman 1st Class Paige Remmington. "He also wants us to balance our civilian life, Air Force careers, physical fitness and training to become complete Airmen."

With finances and the deficit on the forefront of many people's minds, the general stated there is a tough road ahead, referring to the federal budget. However, he encouraged the Airmen to persevere and keep doing their job well, just as they have been.

"Niagara has always made me proud," Farris said. He said, it was great to see the Airmen who were two and three stripers when he left Niagara, who are now master sergeants and senior master sergeants in the unit.

"Being back here is like visiting my family," said Farris. He said, you leave a base with a positive perception of a unit and all it takes is a visit back to confirm how right you were.