Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force reaffirms readiness and alliance integration during visit to Kleine Brogel Air Base

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David R. Wolfe and his wife, Dr. Doniel Wolfe, visited the 701st Munitions Support Squadron at Kleine Brogel Air Base, Belgium, on July 16, meeting with forward-deployed Airmen, Belgian counterparts and base support teams to gauge readiness, reinforce alliance cooperation and address family support needs for those serving away from traditional installations.

The 701st Munitions Support Squadron operates as a remote unit of the 52nd Fighter Wing based at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, working alongside the Belgian Air Component’s 10th Tactical Wing. The stop underscored the day-to-day integration between U.S. and Belgian forces that underpins NATO interoperability and regional security.

Wolfe’s itinerary opened with a bilateral session among senior U.S. Air Force and Belgian Air Component leaders, followed by a briefing on the squadron’s mission and current posture. He later held discussions with Airmen and unit leadership focused on professional development, discipline and standards across career fields. “The Airmen of the 701st MUNSS execute a highly sensitive mission,” Wolfe said. “Our operational standards must remain uncompromising and clear. Every Airman contributes to our ability to deter aggression and remain ready to fight and win if called upon.”

On the operations floor, Wolfe observed message-processing at the unit command post, received a security update and watched a joint recapture exercise that highlighted how U.S. and Belgian teams coordinate under pressure. A subsequent maintenance session detailed the technical rigor required to sustain a forward-deployed mission at a geographically separated site.

Wolfe also presented recognition to Tech. Sgt. Zachary Ibach for outstanding performance and spoke with Airmen over lunch to hear about their experiences serving at a remote detachment. “Our network of allies is an asymmetric advantage that our adversaries can never match,” Wolfe said. “By working seamlessly with our Belgian partners, we demonstrate every day that our shared defense is ready, modern, and fully postured to defend our nations.”

Leaders from the 52nd Fighter Wing and the squadron echoed those themes. “Generating combat airpower and maintaining a credible deterrence posture requires precision at every level,” Col. William Lutmer, the wing commander, said. “Whether our Airmen are serving from Spangdahlem or alongside our Belgian partners at Kleine Brogel, Saber Nation remains ready to respond whenever our nation calls.” Lt. Col. Christopher Crommie, who commands the 701st MUNSS, added, “We are privileged to serve alongside exceptional Belgian teammates,” Crommie said. “Our shared commitment to excellence, trust, and readiness enables us to accomplish a mission that contributes directly to the security of the alliance”

While the CMSAF conducted mission immersion activities, Dr. Wolfe met with base support liaisons, medical teams and family services representatives to discuss the unique demands on Airmen and loved ones at a remote location. The sessions covered active-duty and dependent medical care, Exceptional Family Member Program resources, Military Family Life Counseling, housing, quality-of-life initiatives and education options. She closed her engagements with a roundtable of Key Support Liaisons focused on community resilience. “Serving at a geographically separated unit presents unique opportunities and challenges for military families,” Dr. Wolfe said. “The dedication of the key support liaisons and support professionals here demonstrates how strong communities contribute directly to mission readiness. When Airmen know their families are supported, they can remain focused on the mission.”

Throughout the stop, officials emphasized Air Force priorities of readiness, modernization and caring for Airmen and families, with a consistent message that allied partnerships and resilient people are central to deterrence in Europe. The Kleine Brogel engagement was part of a broader trip across U.S. Air Forces in Europe aimed at evaluating forward-deployed readiness, deepening allied ties and recognizing the work of Airmen serving at geographically separated units.