New commander has high hopes for Liberty Wing

  • Published
  • By Airman Torri Ingalsbe
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  The office is bare of decorations save a single photo on the credenza. The photo isn't of an F-15 or anything military-related at all. It's of the general's wife and 9-year-old daughter. A smiling Brig. Gen. John W. Hesterman III sits comfortably in his chair and looks around at the lack of decorative flair.

"I might put up a couple of pictures; then my wife will come in and add her own touch. I'm more of a minimalist, myself," said General Hesterman.

After nine years, the Hesterman's have returned to RAF Lakenheath. With several assignments stateside and throughout Europe in the nine years since he's been here, there is no place else the general said he would rather be.

"If I could've picked an assignment to go to, this is the one I would've picked. I love the hospitality of our British hosts and look forward to traveling Europe with my little girl, Sarah and my wife, Jenni," said General Hesterman. "The last time we were here, my wife was very pregnant with Sarah. My favorite memory was just the excitement we felt to start our family. It's really neat now that we have the opportunity to bring Sarah back here."

The general said reminiscing about time gone by also reminds of him of the many opportunities they missed the first time round. He said he and his wife have every intention of making the most of this trip. 

Among European travel plans and showing England to his little girl, the general said he has high hopes and plans for the warriors of the 48th Fighter Wing.

"I think my job is to take care of the professional and personal issues of the Airmen and civilians here in the Liberty Wing so they can get our mission done," General Hesterman said. "I think people who are healthy and happy tend to work better and more efficiently."

The general's philosophy regarding peace of mind, in relationship to work-related productivity, was reflected in his recent decision to cancel an exercise scheduled for the end of June.

"I felt like the people of the Liberty Wing just needed to take a breath," said General Hesterman. "I know the task load at Lakenheath can be great and we tend to work a little harder here than in some other places. There are so many things that we have to do and I don't want to create more work than is necessary. I'm a big believer that if you do something fewer times very focused, you're not worn out when the big game comes."

With nearly 25 years of service under his belt, General Hesterman is no stranger to the military lifestyle. On top of his own service, the general also grew up in a family rich in military values and history. Having a father and brother in the Air Force and several other family members in all branches of service, General Hesterman said he has learned what is important to making the mission succeed.

"One thing I'd like stress to the Airmen of the Liberty Wing is the importance of the people they'll meet in their Air Force career. The work and the mission will always be valuable and worthwhile, but what keeps me coming back are the people I get to do the work with," said General Hesterman.

Growing up in a military family, the general heard many of his family members talk about their memories of the time they spent in service to their country. They didn't ever talk about missing the work, but they talked about missing the people. This is why General Hesterman stresses the importance of people to the warriors of the 48th.

"I think that our Liberty Wing Airmen have already done more for their country than most people ever will. If they decide to leave the military and go out into society, then society is better for that," said General Hesterman. "However, I will remind them the loyalty and camaraderie found in the Air Force is difficult to find anywhere else, and we have it here in a big way."

With his high hopes for the Liberty Wing and his intense focus on the morale of the people here, General Hesterman's outlook is bright. Despite high ops tempos, the Liberty warriors can breathe easier knowing the man at the reigns has their best interests in mind.