Commander provides updates on key issues during address

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Zachary Hada
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  One day prior to his one-year anniversary as commander of the 28th Bomb Wing, Col. Kevin Kennedy provided area media with updates on several key issues during a briefing April 4 in the 28th BW Headquarters Conference Room.

"It was one year ago that I was lucky enough to take command of the 28th Bomb Wing," said Kennedy. "I've been very excited to be back in the Black Hills and I'm very proud of the accomplishments of the wing over the last year."

Kennedy explained how the Ellsworth mission directly impacts the current conflicts overseas. In 2013 Ellsworth deployed more than 550 personnel, during which they supported more than 500 B-1 combat missions.

"Our maintenance officers and Airmen, as well as our aviators, have done a tremendous job of ensuring we provide combat power over Afghanistan," he said. "In addition, our MQ-9 Reaper operations have been outstanding. We've flown nearly 900 sorties out of our MQ-9 squadron. It's impressive that we are able to provide combat power, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance that we need in the battlefield over Afghanistan to keep our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines safe."

Kennedy also stressed the importance of each individual Airman and how they impact the base and oversees mission.

"A military organization doesn't work if there's no initiative or innovation at the lowest levels," Kennedy noted. "It's the leadership and teamwork at the unit flight level. We have that here at Ellsworth and that's why we've been so successful."

Kennedy also provided information about some of the events on the horizon for the base, such as the upcoming Air Combat Command Unit Effectiveness Inspection April 13-19, and the construction of 214 new homes on base - part of housing privatization and intended to meet housing requirements.

During the address, Kennedy also reflected on how the past year has impacted him.

"It's been an interesting time for me - this is the fourth time I've been stationed at Ellsworth," Kennedy added. "I've known the people at this base and in this community since I was a lieutenant. I was ready to step in and become part of this team who has and continues to perform at a very high level. Everything that has been thrown at us, both fiscally and operationally, we've handled extremely well."

The colonel concluded the address by lauding the tremendous support surrounding communities provide to the base, its Airmen and their families.

"We have an incredible partnership with the local communities in South Dakota," Kennedy said. "Our community outreach is fantastic and it's one of the things that help us accomplish our mission. We look forward to building upon that as we move forward."