Thursday, Aug. 06, 2009

Shaw will retain status, Air Force chief says

Personnel transfer to Middle East only temporary, Gen. Schwartz says

SUMTER — The Air Force’s top leader on Wednesday sought to tamp down concerns of state and local leaders that sending a three-star general and his staff from Shaw Air Force Base to the Middle East will diminish the installation’s standing.

Air Force chief Gen. Norton Schwartz issued his remarks shortly after U.S. Central Command chief Gen. David Petraeus attended a ceremony at Shaw, making the move official.

In a statement, Schwartz used the words “temporary” and “temporarily” to describe the decision to separate 9th Air Force, headquartered at Shaw, and its component, U.S. Air Forces Central. The separation will last until the air war winds down, he said.

“We understand. It’s one of those things that’s necessary,” said Tom Olsen, a former Shaw commander and executive director of the Sumter Base Defense Committee.

Air Force activity in the Gulf region “is as high as it’s ever been and as our commitments accelerate in Afghanistan, we need 100 percent focus,” Schwartz said.

The U.S. military presently is withdrawing thousands of troops from Iraq and bolstering forces in Afghanistan.

Gen. Gary North, who wore both hats at 9th Air Force and Air Forces Central for 3½ years, said he spent about 75 percent of his time in the Gulf region.

Last May, when Schwartz first told the state’s congressional delegation he was considering retooling of 9th Air Force, local officials worried about 1,000 civilian and military jobs would be lost.

But the move will mean “no more than 50 personnel” from Shaw will accompany the three-star leader, Schwartz said.

Although the 9th Air Force is a tenant unit at Shaw, officials wondered if the Sumter base would lose the prestige of being home to a three-star command.

The base’s primary unit, the 20th Fighter Wing, is commanded by a colonel. About 4,500 airmen and civilians are assigned to the wing.

Additionally, there was concern that plans to relocate the 3rd Army at Shaw might be jeopardized. The Army has said it is committed and groundbreaking for a new $90 million headquarters is planned for mid-August.

Once the air war winds down, the Air Force said the two units would be “reset to the peacetime configuration,” meaning a three-star general would resume command of both 9th Air Force and Air Forces Central.

Lt. Gen. Gilmary Michael Hostage III, who on Wednesday became the new leader or Air Forces Central, underscored the service’s commitment, telling airmen he looked forward to making “us all one again.”

Hostage’s assignment will be 12 to 24 months and his team will be based at a base in the Persian Gulf region. The Air Force declined to name the base.

Meanwhile, the top job at the 9th Air Force will be held by Maj. Gen. William Holland, who has been the unit’s vice commander since July 2007.

The 9th will be retain oversight of six state-side wings and 14 Reserve and National Guard units.

Hostage succeeds North, who takes command of Pacific Air Forces, headquartered at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

Reach Crumbo at (803) 771-8503.

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