RAF MILDENHALL, ENGLAND--U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark C. Schwartz and U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Petty Officer Andrew Harrison, Special Operations Command-Europe Commander and Senior Enlisted Leader, respectively, visited the 352d Special Operations Wing on August 1, 2016, at RAF Mildenhall, England.
The purpose of the visit was for the command team to spend time with the men and women that make up their Special Operations Forces Air Component and to further their insights as to the role the 352 SOW plays in the EUCOM Theater.
“[The 352 SOW] has a unique mission set. Our Air Commandos perform at a pace and consistency that helps to enable SOCEUR execute it assigned mission.” said Col. Matthew Smith, 352 SOW commander. “Maj. Gen. Schwartz, Command Master Chief Harrison and their team were able to see that capability up close as demonstrated through the professionalism and dedication of our Air Commandos.”
The visit started with a mission brief from Smith. Following the brief were tours of various units assigned to the 352 SOW including the 352d Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, 321st Special Tactics Squadron and the 7th Special Operations Squadron. After the briefings, Schwartz enjoyed lunch with Team Mildenhall Airmen.
“I felt honored to be recognized for my hard work,” said Staff Sgt. Amanda Meehan, 352d Special Operations Maintenance Squadron CV-22 Osprey electrical/environmental craftsman. “I think everyone was excited to meet them, and it went well.”
Along with a few aircraft static displays, the tour wrapped up with a flight on a CV-22 Osprey.
“The success of this visit would not have been possible without the steadfast support of the 100th Air Refueling Wing,” said Smith. “We are grateful to have such a great mission partner.”