Gen. Carrol H.(Howie) Chandler, Commander Pacific Air Forces, receives a tour of the “Gathering Place” coffee shop from Tech. Sgt. Mike McCormick, 15th AMXS (front). From left to right, Lt. Col Dwayne Thomas, 15th CES commander, Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Bishop, PACAF command chief, Maj. (Chaplain) Christine Blice-Baum, Col. Giovanni Tuck, 15th Airlift Wing commander, Gen. Carrol H.(Howie) Chandler, Commander Pacific Air Forces and Mrs. Chandler. Gen. Chandler and his wife, Eva-Marie, spent Monday touring 15th Airlift Wing organizations and talking with Team Hickam Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mark Bates)

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Gen. and Mrs. Chandler tour Hickam

Published Aug. 22, 2008
By Dr. Philip Breeze
15th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Chief

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii -- Pacific Air Forces Commander, Gen. Howie Chandler and his wife, Eva-Marie, spent Monday with 15th Airlift Wing Airmen visiting everyplace from the flightline fire department to the Gathering Place coffee shop.

The Chandler's swing through the wing was focused on one of the general's top priorities--taking care of people.

"We live side by side, but it's important to come over and see first-hand all the good things that are happening in the 15th Airlift Wing," he said.

Continuing to upgrade, modernize and expand facilities to support our Airmen and their families, from quality housing to fitness centers, were topics of the visit.

Gen. Chandler the four-star senior Air Force commander in the Pacific, highlighted PACAF's emphasis on meeting the demands of living in a high operations tempo environment with training and support programs for both the Airmen and their families.
While the general was touring the business side of the base, Mrs. Chandler was hosted by Col. Tuck's wife, Susie, on a tour of facilities and programs supporting Air Force families here.

The general's day began at the Tradewinds Enlisted Club, where several airmen and non-commissioned officers joined him for breakfast and an informal question and answer period.

Soliciting Airmen feedback for an upcoming visit with the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the general listened to Airmen's opinions on proposed uniform changes and performance standards.

Following a quick a side trip through wing HQ to receive the Wing Mission Briefing,a few more stops were made to include; the C-17 fuel cell hangar, the hydrogen fuel production station, and the alert facility.

Next on the tour was Human Performance and Rehabilitation Center. The first of its kind in the Air Force, this DoD-award-winning program combines the Health and Wellness center with the Physical Therapy program - putting prevention and rehabilitation in the same location.

Mrs. Tuck and Mrs. Chandler were joined on their tour by other 15th AW squadron commanders' spouses, as they toured Mokulele Elementary school, an award-winning, home-based childcare provider, the youth centers and other facilities involved in the care and education of our ohana keiki.

During a meeting with representatives of Actus Lend Lease and Hickam Community Housing, Gen. Chandler shared some of the concerns of Airmen here. Representatives of HCH told the general they would work with the wing commander to ensure fairness and transperancy with housing assignment polices.

The day ended with a stop at the Gathering Place, a free coffe shop located in the enlisted dorms sponsored by the Chaplian's office, where barista Tech. Sgt. Mike McCormick whipped up a hot one for General and Mrs. Chandler.