Shining star brightens air power

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stephen Linch
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The Air Force's newest general officer, brandishing two new sparkling stars, paused as he addressed the 509th Bomb Wing as a general for the first time.

"This is Awesome," said Brig. Gen. Garrett Harencak, 509th Bomb Wing commander, who was officially promoted to brigadier general in a ceremony here Jan. 4.

Retired Maj. Gen. Jack Catton Jr. presided over the ceremony and shared several praises for General Harencak and his family.

"This is an all American, world class Air Force family," General Catton said. "This is the kind of man you want to see wear stars in our Air Force."

Wearing the stars General Catton and his father before him wore, General Harencak quoted Walt Disney saying, "There is a myth, that myth is there is a self-made man out there."

The General went on to explain that everyone can attribute their success to many others.

"That is what this ceremony is all about," he said. "This room is brimming with people who have carried me on their back."

"This wing is an incredible place, and we do incredible things," he said. "We know our greatest weapons system doesn't come with tail numbers or serial numbers; it comes with social security numbers.

"Our Airmen, non-commissioned officers, officers and civilians are the world's greatest, and they are doing tremendous work hunting down and destroying America's enemies," said General Harencak. "Six-hundred and fifty of them are deployed and in harms way right now."

After thanking those who had helped him along the way and wishing his best to those deployed, General Harencak concluded his ceremony saying, "the honor is to serve, the privilege is to serve in America's Air Force with each and every one of you here at Whiteman." With a heart felt pause he pointed at the flag saying, "Everything we do is for this, and this we will defend."