F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr and his spouse, Sharene Brown, visited F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, Sept. 6, 2023.
Brown visited with members of the 90th Missile Wing to engage with and hear from Airmen, as well as to have an in-depth immersion of the LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM weapon system, especially modernization efforts unique to F.E. Warren AFB.
“The Mighty Ninety is excited and honored to host General and Mrs. Brown,” said Col. Johnny Galbert, 90th Missile Wing commander. “We appreciate when senior leaders like Gen. Brown take the time to visit our base, meet our outstanding Airmen, and learn about the critical mission they perform every day.”
To begin the visit, Brown had breakfast at the Chadwell Dining facility with 10 junior enlisted Airmen from different groups and squadrons around base. Brown also coined two Airmen during this time for their dedication and hard work toward the mission.
He then went to the 20th Air Force headquarters where he participated in local Sentinel discussions and was briefed on the arrival of the new helicopter, the MH-139A Grey Wolf, during a one-on-one meeting with Maj. Gen. Michael Lutton, Twentieth Air Force commander, and in a discussion with the broader command team. Brown also toured the Weapons Generation Facility, a modernized building designed to house the Sentinel weapons system. During the tour, he was briefed on the building’s construction progress and future operational capabilities.
Brown also hosted 13 squadron commanders from the wing for lunch at the Trail’s End Event Center. Following lunch, he went to the 253rd Command and Control Group. Following an immersion into their mission, he departed for the Peacekeeper High Bay for an all-call with 90 MW and 20 AF Airmen and leaders.
The all-call gave Brown the opportunity to address Air Force-wide topics and hear localized concerns from Airmen. Multiple topics were discussed, including the Air Force Force Generation deployment model, the role of information and media in the military, and mental health concerns.
“It was a pleasure to be with you today to talk to you and take your questions,” said Brown. “I appreciate the questions you ask, because we take them back and figure out how we can better support you. I want you to remember that you do not work for me, I work for you. My job is to make your job easier and that’s what I focus on every day - do something to make it easier for you to go execute the mission of the United States Air Force.”
Brown finished his day with a mock convoy demo put on by the 90th Missile Security Operations Squadron to demonstrate how 90 MW teams transport nuclear assets to and from sites within the 9,600 square-foot missile field. Finally, Galbert and his spouse, Audrian Galbert, hosted the Browns for a brief final meeting to share his gratitude for the visit.
Sharene also toured the 90 MW and used her day in Wyoming to speak with the spouses of senior leaders and commanders, first sergeants, the school liaison officer and key spouses and mentors, and about the Five and Thrive Program.
She listened to concerns about and gave input related to some of the top challenges military families face, including childcare, spouse employment, education, healthcare and housing. She also visited the Medical Clinic to talk about the Exceptional Family Member Program, mental health, and to meet with the chaplain team.
The Chief of Staff of the Air Force is the senior uniformed Air Force officer, responsible for the training and equipping of active duty, Guard Reserve and civilian forces. In his position and as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Brown and other service chiefs advise the Secretary of Defense, National Security Council and the President on military functions.