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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, Command Chief visit Niagara

  • Published
  • By 914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
  • 914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --  Maj. Gen. Stayce Harris, 22nd Air Force Commander and Chief Master Sgt. Michael Thorpe, 22 AF Command Chief visited the base from June 4-6, 2015.

Harris and Thorpe toured the base and met with Airmen of all ranks from the 914th Airlift Wing.  Their visit included: breakfast with Airmen, a meet and greet with wing leadership and various stops across the installation.

Emphasis was placed during the tour of the installation to see the Airmen working in their primary career field environments.

"What was wonderfully unique about our visit to Niagara was watching the people doing their job hands-on," said Harris. "For us to visit EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) and see them doing the work and visit aerial port to watch them rigging chutes and really seeing them get that hands-on, that was as gratifying for me as it was for the Airmen."

While members of the wing were given the opportunity to showcase their talents to 22 AF leadership, their dedication to duty was also observed.

"They exceeded expectations," said Thorpe.  "Their motivation and dedication to the mission is paramount to the success of not only the NAF (Numbered Air Force), but to the command as well.  They truly showed through every step of the way their dedication, motivation and how valuable they are to us."

Maj. Gen. Harris and Chief Thorpe were also given the opportunity to meet with members of the Niagara Military Affairs Council to see first-hand the strong relationship the base has with the local community.

  "We felt the sense of community here and were very appreciative to meet with the NIMAC leadership and understand their enthusiasm toward the AF Reserve and Guard and Army partners on base," said Harris. "Just witnessing the enthusiasm they have and the long term commitment they've had to Niagara Falls, to the Air Reserve Station and making sure it stays a relevant viable organization was very encouraging, so we as 22 AF look forward to partnering with them in the future."

That strong relationship between the community and NFARS will be highlighted during next month's Thunder of Niagara Air Show July 18 and 19.

"The partnerships that have been developed over the years not just with the Army and Air National Guard, but with the local community as a whole, I think the fruits of that labor will be shown next month with the Air Show," said Thorpe.  "I know they are truly looking forward to showcase this installation to the entire Western New York population."

In discussing personal philosophy and higher headquarters priorities, Maj. Gen. Harris is very upbeat.

"My personal mantra is for us to be ready, and relevant and responsive and rewarding to our members at every level and so that's what I see us doing across the board," concluded Harris.