ACC commander: Airmen make a difference daily

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (AFNS) -- The success of today’s Air Force is a product of the Airmen who are willing to put themselves in harm’s way for the defense of the nation, the commander of Air Combat Command told thousands of Airmen, members of industry and airpower advocates during the Air, Space and Cyber Conference here Sept. 20.

Gen. Hawk Carlisle used the opportunity to speak to this audience to highlight the courageous efforts of innovative Airmen in the joint fight and to praise the Air Force’s partnership with industry.

“We are the greatest Air Force in the world, we have great technology, we’re doing great things, but it’s our Airmen and what they do with what (we) give them,” Carlisle said. “And invariably, whatever industry and our government manages to develop and give to our Airmen, our Airmen take it and make it even better than what we thought (was) possible.”

During the conference, Carlisle highlighted the actions of two heroic Airmen in particular – Airman 1st Class Benjamin Hutchins, a joint terminal air controller, and Capt. Kerrin Caldwell, a weather officer. Their actions earned them the Silver Star and Department of State’s Meritorious Honor Award, respectively.