USAFE-AFAFRICA leadership addresses Mission Support, Maintenance Strategy Conference

U.S. Air Force Col. Jason Wolff, 86th Logistics Readiness Group commander, offers a question to leadership during the 2025 U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Mission Support and Maintenance Group Strategy Conference at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Jan. 22, 2025. The conference was tailored to equip senior leaders within USAFE-AFAFRICA on how best to operate within the theater, focusing specifically on strategic thinking and institutional leadership. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Renan Arredondo)

This annual event brought together MSG and MXG commanders and senior enlisted leaders to share information and collaborate on best practices across Air Force units in Europe and Africa.

Gen. James Hecker, USAFE-AFAFRICA commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Randall Kwiatkowski, USAFE-AFAFRICA command chief, provided opening remarks and encouraged all participants to use the opportunity for crosstalk to learn from each other and improve together.

U.S. Air Force Gen. James B. Hecker, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander, speaks during the 2025 USAFE-AFAFRICA Mission Support and Maintenance Group Strategy Conference at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Jan. 22, 2025. The focus of the symposium was to provide region-specific discussions and collaborative interactions from commanders and senior enlisted leaders of USAFE-AFAFRICA mission support and maintenance groups, focusing specifically on strategic thinking and joint integration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Renan Arredondo)

USAFE-AFAFRICA’s mission support and maintenance leaders engaged on a wide range of topics throughout the conference including Great Power Competition, Theater Operational Plans, Countering Unmanned Aerial Systems, Agile Combat Employment concepts and many others. 

The Third Air Force commander, Maj. Gen. Paul Moga, also joined the leaders on the second day to provide insights from the Numbered Air Force level and drive engaged discussions.

U.S. Air Force Gen. James B. Hecker, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander, and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Randy Kwiatkowski, USAFE-AFAFRICA command chief, respond to questions from attendees of the 2025 USAFE-AFAFRICA Mission Support and Maintenance Group Strategy Conference at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Jan. 22, 2025. The conference gave mission support and maintenance group leaders within USAFE-AFARICA an opportunity to discuss operational and mission topics to build a more effective force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Renan Arredondo)
Group and Squadron commanders from the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa area of responsibility, met for lunch during the 2025 USAFE-AFAFRICA Mission Support and Maintenance Group Strategy Conference at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Jan. 23, 2025. The aim of the symposium was to enhance the strategic capabilities of squadron leaders across the USAFE-AFAFRICA area of responsibility, equipping them with essential tools and strategies to better serve their units. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Renan Arredondo)