Power Lunch

Lt. Gen. Gary North, commander of "CENTAF" or simply put, the Air Forces under CENTCOM, needed to meet with some of the leadership here in Tampa. So, he and his executive officer did what any USAF general officer pilot might do: Take a couple of F-16s from Shaw AFB, SC to Tampa. Knock out some meetings and flight hour requirements. As part of their several hour visit, they invited some us AF cogs in the machine to dine at the O'Club. Sounds like a braggy message, but it's more of a message of great respect for the work the military and civilian folks are doing in service of their country every day. He asked us about our individual situations and then took some Q & A before taking off and enjoying the scenery over the eastern seaboard. He relayed the measured success we're having with this "surge" and acknowledged that we have some political hurdles to clear. He urged us to keep plugging away and keep our eyes on the job. It's when I turn the TV off and hang out with the folks here from O-9s to E-4s to Coalition partners that I get filled up for another day. Among many interesting subjects, the general expressed the huge appetite for more Intel troops. So tell those prospective people in your life that if they'd like to get schooled for free and do very interesting work with a lucrative post-mil-career, they should pursue what's commonly called "J2" in their service of choice. (of course AF is best..) Have a good week and I'll get some more posts with weekend photos up soon. HF1