ACC Commander to visit 388th FW

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Beth Woodward
  • 388th Fighter Wing
Hill Air Force Base, Utah --  The Commander of Air Combat Command, Gen. Ronald E. Keys, will travel here to tour the 388th Fighter Wing Jan. 9-11.

During his stay, General Keys will visit sections across the wing in aircraft maintenance, flight, air control, and range operations, as well as support services such as the Junior Enlisted Center, Flightline Ministry and Fast Eddie's. 388th FW leaders will emphasize the wing's mission, "train, deploy and execute," and corresponding focus areas; people, expeditionary operations, recapitalization, organization, transformation, and community relations.

"We are honored to have the Commander of ACC visit the 388th, a fully engaged combat wing," said Col. Robert Beletic, 388th Fighter Wing commander. "We will have the opportunity to show General Keys our great Airmen and operations and learn from his wealth of knowledge and experience. Having the world's best coach come to visit can only make us stronger and advance our vision; disciplined Airmen building and constantly advancing relevant, versatile, and lethal airpower. I'm proud to introduce the General to the men and women who give their all everyday to the ACC mission. I think General Keys will see that the soul of the 388 FW is discipline, discipline, discipline...disciplined thought, disciplined action, disciplined documentation. We are very much looking forward to the General's visit."

ACC operates more than 1,200 aircraft, 27 wings, 17 bases and more than 200 operating locations with 105,000 active duty and civilian personnel. In addition to commanding ACC, General Keys serves as the Air Component Commander for U.S. Joint Forces Command and U.S. Northern Command.

During his time in service, General Keys has commanded a fighter squadron, the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School, an F-15 wing, an A/OA-10 and F-16 wing, the Combat Air Forces Operational Test and Evaluation Wing, a numbered air force, and Allied Air Forces Southern Europe. Additionally, he has served as the first commander of the Air Doctrine Center and an executive assistant to the Air Force Chief of Staff and to an Assistant Secretary of Defense.

Prior to his current assignment, he was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Air and Space Operations. General Keys is also a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours, including more than 300 hours of combat time in Southeast Asia.

General Keys last visited Utah in July 2006 to attend America's Freedom Festival events in Provo, Utah. During a Freedom Awards Gala, the organization awarded him the "Freedom Award" for significant contributions to protecting American liberties.