SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. - Lt. Gen. Stanley E. Clarke III, director, Air National Guard, visited with Airmen of the 158th Fighter Wing at an all-call on Oct. 17, 2015, at the Vermont Air National Guard Base here.
As director of the Air National Guard, Clarke is responsible for formulating, developing and coordinating all policies, plans and programs affecting all Guard members and units in all 50 States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands.
Prior to his visit at the 158th Fighter Wing, Clarke spent two days with the 157th Air Refueling Wing at Pease Air National Guard Base, New Hampshire. Clarke uses his base visits as an important tool to receive feedback from Airmen at the ground level and to highlight their accomplishments.
During his visit in Vermont, Clarke took an opportunity to meet recruits of the 158th Fighter Wing and administer their Oath of Enlistment. He also was able to recognize a handful of distinguished Airmen and acknowledge their efforts for the Vermont Air National Guard.
Clarke discussed the unique force structure of the Air National Guard within the U.S. Air Force, and the importance of the state partnership programs in continuing relations and training with partnered nations.
“We are always on a mission,” Clarke said, “There are three tiers to our mission, warfighting capable, homeland operations and security cooperation.”
Airmen listened as Clarke spoke of how the Air National Guard is a proven choice for warfighting, a first choice in the homeland operations and an enduring choice of security cooperation.
“As Airmen, we need to recognize who we are, what we do and how we do business,” he said.
Clarke believes in the idea of a four pillar total force that the U.S. Air Force, Air Force Reserves and Air National Guard need to maintain for a strong foundation. These pillars include standards, inspections, operational engagements and resources. Each component maintains the standards and processes through inspections in the same manner. Operations are determined based on missions, and resource allocation is formed at the higher leadership levels. His responsibilities are to maintain proper use of resources, ensuring the mission.
As a traditional force, one weekend a month, two weeks a year, it is important to recognize the impact of being a Guardsman has on our lives outside the gate. Clarke commented on how the community takes pride in the uniform that we choose to wear, and we need to take that same gratitude to them.
“Thank your employers, thank your families,” Clarke said, “Their sacrifice means a lot.”
As a command pilot with more than 4,000 hours, including the F-16, Clarke related to the mission of the Vermont Guard members and congratulated the men and women of the 158th on their current and upcoming mission.