Brigadier General Stephen Snelson took command of the Expeditionary Center at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in July. His command represents a huge and sophisticated global organization comprised of 14,000 airmen across 42 units in 24 locations on six continents.
The EC supports the logistical requirements of not just the Air Force but multiple service branches (collectively known as the joint force). The EC also is responsible for training airmen and helping to provide global rapid response to humanitarian and natural disasters.
General Snelson has served in the Air Force for 28 years and he has logged more than 3,300 flying hours, including combat missions in support of Operations Allied Force, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn.
His previous assignment was as Vice Director of Strategy, Plans and Policy at the U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.
Before that, he was at Joint Base Andrews, serving there during the presidential terms of Donald Trump and Joseph Biden. Among his responsibilities was oversight of Air Force One and the aircraft that carried the vice president, cabinet members and other senior military leaders. He would routinely escort the presidents and their families to the aircraft.
General Snelson is starting his second tour of duty at the Joint Base. He served as the commander of the 305th Operations Support Squadron here from 2011-2013.
He has also held numerous major command and combatant command staff assignments.
General Snelson is a native of Massachusetts and proudly admits to being a rabid Boston sports fan.
He resides on the Joint Base with his wife Catherine and daughters Alexandra and Caroline.
General Snelson sat down for a conversation with Military Matters on October 21.
MM: Welcome back to New Jersey. What are your impressions of the state?
GS: I am very happy to be here. I am originally from Massachusetts so coming back to the Northeast really makes me feel like I am home.
I found out during my first time here that there are misperceptions about what New Jersey is. I expected to see factories and industrial complexes everywhere. But all you have to do is drive off the base and see there are many more farmstands than factories.
Also, what is great is New Jersey is very centrally located so it is a short drive to just about anything you want to do.
MM: What is the one thing you want New Jerseyans to know?
GS: First, I am thrilled to be back at the Joint Base. I want everyone to know that I am aware of how supportive New Jersey’s communities are to our military service personnel. You folks in Jersey really know how to take care of our service members.
My family and I have experienced that support as well. We have met so many great people here and I want to thank everyone for supporting us.
MM: What is the one thing you would like the business community to know?
GS: I would urge industry to think not just about how your innovations help your business, but how they can be of help to the military – how your advances might be of help to us in communications, or AI, or counter-drone technology.
Technology is always moving quickly, and unfortunately deadly technology always advances quickly.
There should be a synergy between business and the military. It makes us better.
MM: How would you describe our military’s strategy from your global perspective?
GS: From the time of the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001, we focused on counter insurgencies. That has been true until recently.
Now we have much more of a global focus with the Great Power Competition, where nations compete in different parts of the world to achieve financial and political stature.
The Great Power Competition is about influence and prestige.
American presence matters. If we pull out, the void would be filled by our competitors in no time.
MM: Can you describe what the EC does?
GS: The EC is extraordinary. I like to say the sun never sets on the EC because we have 14,000 airmen in 24 countries on six of the seven continents supporting the air logistical requirement of our joint force.
It is important to emphasize the joint force because, if we go to war, it will not be only one service branch, it will be the joint force.
When I arrived here in July, one of the first things that struck me about the EC was the tempo. It was eye opening to me.
For instance, members of our Contingency Response Wing recently went to Haiti to assist after a series of natural disasters. They came back to New Jersey and in nine hours compiled everything they needed for a mission to Niger and immediately headed there. When they returned from Niger they were ready for their next mission in ten hours.
At the same time we are fulfilling these missions, we are training thousands of airmen.
We train every new airman who is on his or her way to deployment, so every man and woman understands the mission. We instill a culture of readiness because we need to be prepared to fight tonight if necessary.
MM: How do you command an organization this large and moving this quickly?
GS: We work consistently to upgrade our communications to make sure every airman understands the mission.
Then, there must be lots of trust in subordinate commanders, and we must trust the most junior airmen to carry out the mission.
They can’t wait to hear from me before acting. Our people need to be able to think on their feet and be creative and innovative. They need to take the initiative.
MM: How would you describe your experience working with Presidents Trump and Biden when you were at Joint Base Andrews?
GS: It was an honor working for two presidents of the United States.
No matter what you saw on TV, both men were gentlemen and always asked how I was doing and about my family. They could not have been more generous.
It is one of the best parts of being in the military, that regardless of who is in the White House, the military is agnostic of political parties. We took an oath to the Constitution, not to a person or party. The peaceful transfer of power is what helps you realize how great this country is.
MM: You have served in the Air Force for 28 years. How did you become interested in military service?
GS: I always knew I wanted to serve. I had a great aunt who was a head nurse at a M*A*S*H* unit in the Korean War. She would tell me war stories and we watched the TV show M*A*S*H together. She was one of the main reasons I came into the military.
MM: Reports say recruitment across the military services is down. What is your perspective on that?
GS: First, the good news is the Air Force recruiting goals were achieved for this year.
I think we need to expose more of our kids to the military and not treat our installations like fortresses or isolated pockets
The military option is not on kids radar today. After World War II, about one in five Americans had served in the military. That is important because familiarity leads to a propensity to serve.
We need to urge parents to tell their sons and daughters not to write off the military.
We have a lot to offer so send us your best and your brightest!
MM: How has your family adapted to being back in New Jersey?
GS: We enjoy sports but there are not a lot of Boston area sports channels, so we jumped right into the community. My two daughters are very active – one is on a rowing crew and the other plays lacrosse.
Family love and support is everything. My wife Catherine serves in the Air Force and her two grandfathers were Army Air Corp pilots. Every day of her life, she has been part of the Air Force. I could not have a better counsellor or advisor.
Catherine has taught our two daughters to be strong and resilient and they have been that. Look, I volunteered. I signed up for the Air Force and all the changes and moves that come with military life. My kids did not. I am incredible proud and grateful to them.
