3rd AF leaders visit RAF Lakenheath

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, 3rd Air Force commander, addresses Airmen during an all-call at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Jan. 6. Clark, who assumed command Oct. 21, 2016, has been visiting air bases in Europe to gain familiarization of capabilities and missions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Eli Chevalier)

3rd AF leaders visit RAF Lakenheath

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, 3rd Air Force commander, speaks at an Airmen roundtable at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Jan. 6. Clark talked with Liberty Wing Airmen about a variety of subjects, from changes in deployment tempos to questions on basic allowance for housing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Eli Chevalier)

3rd AF leaders visit RAF Lakenheath

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, 3rd Air Force commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Phillip Easton, 3rd Air Force command chief, learn about the capabilities of the 48th Maintenance Group’s 3D printer at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Jan. 6. The 48th MXG has the ability to print spare parts to save the Liberty Wing time and money. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Eli Chevalier)

3rd AF leaders visit RAF Lakenheath

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, 3rd Air Force commander, left, and Col. Evan Pettus, 48th Fighter Wing commander, converse in front of an F-15E Strike Eagle at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Jan. 6. Clark and Chief Master Sgt. Phillip Easton, 3rd Air Force command chief, were participating in a base immersion tour. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Eli Chevalier)

3rd AF leaders visit RAF Lakenheath

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, 3rd Air Force commander, learns about the capabilities of the 57th Rescue Squadron during an immersion tour at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Jan. 6. The 57th RQS was one of several organizations he visited before an all-call with Liberty Wing Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Eli Chevalier)

3rd AF leaders visit RAF Lakenheath

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, 3rd Air Force commander, greets Airmen before a briefing on future construction projects at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Jan. 6. This was one of the many stops Clark made around the Liberty Wing as part of an immersion tour. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Eli Chevalier)

3rd AF leaders visit RAF Lakenheath

Published Jan. 6, 2017
By Airman 1st Class Abby L. Finkel
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- The commander and command chief of the 3rd Air Force completed an immersion tour here, Jan. 6.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, 3rd Air Force commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Phillip Easton, 3rd Air Force command chief, spoke with Liberty Wing Airmen at an all-call about their top three priorities.

“The first one is execute the mission,” Clark said. “We all know that’s why we’re here … that’s why we’re in the Air Force. We have 300,000 people in our Air Force, and 300 million people in our country,” Clark continued. “We’re the ones who are doing it, and no one else is going to do it for us, or for our country, or for our families.”

In addition to executing the mission, Clark discussed the importance of inspiring Airmen and taking care of family.

“None of these [priorities] have any specific order,” Clark said, “but what we have to do with these three priorities is find a balance.How do you balance the mission with your family, with inspiration and taking care of Airmen?” he asked. “That’s the heart of what we do, and we have to figure that out.”

Before the all-call, Clark and Easton visited and spoke with Airmen from organizations across the wing and coined several Liberty Airmen for their outstanding work.