SOCEUR Commander, Command Master Chief visits 352nd SOW

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark C. Schwartz, commander of the Special Operations Command-Europe, observes equipment during a tour Aug. 1, 2016, on RAF Mildenhall, England. Airmen from the 352nd Special Operations Wing were able to meet Schwartz and demonstrate the use of some of their equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tenley Long)

SOCEUR Commander, Command Master Chief visits 352nd SOW

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark C. Schwartz, left, commander of the Special Operations Command-Europe, watches Airmen demonstrate medical procedures during a tour Aug. 1, 2016, on RAF Mildenhall, England. The demonstration was one of many displays presented during the visit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tenley Long)

SOCEUR leadership team visits 352nd SOW

Published Aug. 5, 2016
By Airman 1st Class Tenley Long

RAF MILDENHALL, England -- U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark C. Schwartz and U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Petty Officer Andrew Harrison, Special Operations Command-Europe Commander and Senior Enlisted Leader, visited the 352nd Special Operations Wing on Aug. 1, 2016, at RAF Mildenhall, England.

The purpose of the visit was for the command team to spend time with the men and women that make up their Special Operations Forces Air Component, and to further their insights as to the role the 352nd SOW plays in the EUCOM Theater.

“[The 352nd SOW] has a unique mission set. Our Air Commandos perform at a pace and consistency that helps to enable SOCEUR execute it assigned mission.” said Col. Matthew Smith, 352nd SOW commander. “Maj. Gen. Schwartz, Command Master Chief Harrison and their team were able to see that capability up close as demonstrated through the professionalism and dedication of our Air Commandos.”

The visit started with a mission brief from Smith. Following the brief were tours of various units assigned to the 352nd SOW including the 352nd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, 321st Special Tactics Squadron and the 7th Special Operations Squadron. After the briefings, Schwartz enjoyed lunch with Team Mildenhall Airmen.

“I felt honored to be recognized for my hard work,” said Staff Sgt. Amanda Meehan, 352nd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron CV-22 Osprey electrical/environmental craftsman. “I think everyone was excited to meet them, and it went well.”

The tour concluded with a flight on a CV-22 Osprey. The planning, coordinating and conducting of the event took the hard work and efforts of many Team Mildenhall members.

“The success of this visit would not have been possible without the steadfast support of the 100th Air Refueling Wing,” said Smith. “We are grateful to have such a great mission partner.”