News Search

Fifteenth Air Force commander visits 20th Fighter Wing

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jacob Gutierrez
  • 20th Fighter Wing
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael G. Koscheski, Fifteenth Air Force commander, visited with key 20th Fighter Wing personnel and Sumter community members at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, Sept.16.

During Koscheski’s first visit to the 20th FW since taking command, he was briefed by subject matter experts for combat flying operations, ongoing COVID-19 mitigation and vaccination efforts, community resources and the rapid development of agile combat employment exercises.

“The 20th Fighter Wing is a critical asset in the portfolio of the Fifteenth Air Force,” said Koscheski. “The Airmen here have a multitude of responsibilities including not only the mission of the wing but also to act as a host unit and operate as a support function in tandem. The ability of this wing to grow and adapt to an ever-growing mission on the installation is outstanding.”

Representatives from operations and agencies across Weasel Nation were in attendance to deliver a full immersion of the inner workings to keep the nation’s largest combat F-16 wing ready at all times.

Koscheski’s observed the strategic efforts to propel the wing’s agile combat employment capabilities through conducting exercises that require Airmen to accelerate change in order to successfully provide air dominance as a smaller, rapidly deployable, responsive tactical force.

“The local experimentation of agile combat employment initiatives is significant because the strategic innovation, and the development of the concepts comes from the wing level,” said Koscheski. “They are the real experts on the multi-capable tasks required in order to work towards this Air Force level initiative.”

The Fifteenth Air Force guides its wings to deliver ready forces for combat operations, develop resilient Airmen and families, and empower Airmen to be resourceful to deliver combat airpower anytime, anywhere.

“It was an honor to show General Koscheski Weasel Nation’s efforts to align combat readiness with 15 Air Force’s strategic direction while providing reliable host-wing support,” said Col. Lawrence Sullivan, 20th Fighter Wing commander. “Our community leaders and support services play an integral role in ensuring that all of Team Shaw remains ready to execute the National Defense Strategy.”