RAF MILDENHALL, England -- Lt. Gen. Rod Bishop, 3rd Air Force commander, visited the 100th Air Refueling Wing, Nov. 7.

General Bishop discussed the critical role the 100th ARW provides in supporting the U.S. mission throughout the U.S. European Command. Additionally, he stressed the critical support the wing provides to winning the global war on terror through its aerial refueling mission. He viewed the base's progress regarding Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century, by being briefed by Airmen throughout his tour. He received a first-hand look at the theater-wide support the wing provides as the major command's only refueling wing.

The general's day kicked off at the base dining facility, where he shared breakfast and had an open discussion with a small group of outstanding wing Airmen.

Following the meal, General Bishop went to Middleton Hall, where he presided over a promotion ceremony. There, he promoted then-Brig. Gen. Jack Egginton, 3rd Air Force vice commander, to the rank of major general.

After the ceremony, General Bishop started his tour of RAF Mildenhall with the 100th Mission Support Group, visiting base housing and the front gate, operated by the 100th Security Forces Squadron reviewing numerous quality of life and security initiatives. Next, the general dined at the Galaxy Club with the Company Grade Officers Association.

With every group and Airman he met, the 3rd AF commander stressed the value of their service. He also asked many Airmen if they knew what the Air Force's top three priorities are, and asked about the acronym used regularly throughout the 100th ARW, "NKAWTG" ... Nobody Kicks Anything Without Tanker Gas.

"What you do every day directly contributes to the Air Force's top three priorities - fighting and winning the global war on terror, taking care of our Airmen and their families and the recapitalization and modernization of our fleet," said General Bishop.

After lunch, General Bishop toured the 100th Maintenance and Operations Groups. There he met with Airmen from the 100th Maintenance Operations Squadron, 100th Maintenance Squadron, 100th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 100th Operations Support Squadron and the 351st Air Refueling Squadron.

Along the way, Airmen had the opportunity to brief the general on the mission and AFSO21 practices their units put in place, helping to streamline and reduce redundant processes and waste.

"As I look around, what I see the 100th ARW doing every day is just amazing," General Bishop said. "AFSO21 is unleashing the power of the human spirit. Our Airmen are looking at things every day and asking 'how can we make it better?' Being American, ingenuity is born into us from the moment we're brought into this world," the general added.

Airmen with the 100th AMXS showed the general several money- and time-saving ideas, including posting a daily roster of scheduled maintenance and personnel temporary duty assignments, as well as installing a computer monitor listing all scheduled landings and take-offs.

"Its initiatives like these that not only allow maintainers to spend more time turning wrenches on their jets and less time doing administrative duties, but increase the efficiency of our wing resources," said Lt. Col. Larry Walker, 100th ARW AFSO21 director.

According to General Bishop, he departed with a greater hands-on understanding of what the wing contributes to the mission and insight into the initiatives 100th ARW Airmen are making to be more effective and efficient using AFSO21.