18th AF commander visits base Published Jan. 12, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Cassandra Locke Editor POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Maj. Gen. James Hawkins, 18th Air Force Commander, said he was very impressed with Pope in the areas of Smart Operations 21, contributions to the Global War on Terror, the base realignment planning and the attitudes of the Airmen and family members during his visit Jan. 3 and 4. Since the general's last visit in March 2006, the base has made significant improvements. Pope has been involved in 35 rapid improvement events that saved 500,000 man-hours and $300,000. "Team Pope has really led the way for Smart Operations 21. The enthusiasm and hard work of Pope's Airmen generates excitement for the program around the 18th AF," said General Hawkins. Pope has recently won some prestigious awards and the hard work and dedication of the Airmen do not go unnoticed. He said he is exceptionally proud of Pope receiving the Warren R. Carter Logistics Effectiveness Daedalian Award and the William N. Penton Fuels Management Award. "I want to thank the Airmen for what they do. You all do such a great job and make this look easy. There are a lot of unsung heroes and you've stepped up to the plate during these challenging times," said General Hawkins. Pope is heavily engaged in the ongoing GWOT, and Pope's performance throughout has been critical to the Air Force. About 10 percent of the base population is deployed at any one time (roughly 500 Airmen). Pope's Airmen answer the call of duty with their enabler deployments, while continuing to fulfill the Air Expeditionary Force requirements, as well. Pope's C-130 crews move thousands of troops throughout the area of responsibility, in addition to the tons of cargo Airmen transport in and out of the AOR. "Mobility Airmen have an infectious warrior attitude, enthusiasm, selfless dedication, sacrifice and teamwork in their role of supporting combat operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, homeland defense and presidential movements," said General Hawkins. General Hawkins is a command pilot with more than 4,600 flying hours in a variety of aircraft. He was selected to pilot the first flight test of a global positioning system-equipped B-52G over the North Pole in 1985. In August 1994, he served as an instructor pilot on Global Power 94-7, a 47-hour, around-the-world, non-stop B-52 flight - the longest bombing mission ever flown. General Hawkins graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1973. He has commanded the 23rd Bombardment Squadron, 2nd Operations Group, 319th Air Refueling Wing, 89th Airlift Wing and the Tanker Airlift Control Center. He has also served as Vice Director of the Joint Staff, Washington and Vice Commander of the 18th Air Force.