JBLE welcomes President Trump

President Donald J. Trump is greeted by Maj. Gen. John K. McMullen, the Air Combat Command vice commander, Col. Caroline Miller, the 633rd Air Base Wing commander, and Col. Peter Fesler, the 1st Fighter Wing commander at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., March 2, 2017. The 633rd ABW is the host wing to 24,000 Airmen, Soldiers and civilians who support 11 major units, one of which is the 1st FW, whose mission is to deliver stealth, combat airpower world-wide on short notice to combatant commanders. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Areca T. Bell)

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JBLE welcomes President Trump

Published March 3, 2017
By Tech. Sgt. Daylena S. Ricks
633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. -- President Donald J. Trump greeted a crowd of service members, their families and friends as he made his first official visit to Joint Base Langley-Eustis and the Tidewater military community, March 2, 2017.

Trump was welcomed by Maj. Gen. John K. McMullen, the Air Combat Command vice commander,, Col. Caroline M. Miller, the 633rd Air Base Wing commander and Col. Pete M. Fesler, the 1st Fighter Wing commander.

“As America’s vanguard air dominance provider, the 1st Fighter Wing delivers F-22 Raptor airpower worldwide,” Fesler said. “As the oldest wing in the Air Force, the 1st Fighter Wing continues its tradition of air superiority which began in World War I and continues with current fifth-generation operations across the global spectrum of conflict. Anytime we can showcase our first-class raptor fleet to the president and his staff, we’re proud to do so.”

Trump was accompanied by James Mattis, the secretary of Defense. Shortly after their arrival at the Langley Air Force Base flight line, both Trump and Mattis boarded Marine One for a short helicopter ride to the Newport News shipyard for a tour of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the newest class of Navy aircraft carriers.

Trump’s visit comes following the release of the administration’s 2018 budget proposal, which included a $54 billion increase to the Defense Department budget.

According to the JBLE economic impact analysis from 2016, the installation generated $2.1 billion in economic impact, including more than $470 million of annual job creation value.

“Joint Base Langley-Eustis is a strategic hub for national defense, right here in Hampton Roads. The 633rd Air Base Wing is an Air Force-led mission support wing which serves more than 60 U.S. Air Force and Army units. Joint basing promotes and fosters a more cohesive operational partnership between the Air Force and Army while preserving mission capabilities and unique service identities,” said Miller.

The city of Hampton is home to a higher percentage of military veterans than any other U.S. city according to census data.

The JBLE community hopes Trump will make a return visit in the near future to see firsthand how its Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines contribute to America's safety and freedom.