Flournoy Pins on Second Star

Maj. Gen. John C. Flournoy Jr., commander, Headquarters 4th Air Force, pinned on his second star Thursday during an on-base ceremony attended by his wife, Anne, his parents, retired U.S. Air Force colonel John Flournoy and Charlene Flournoy, and his four children, as well as friends, local dignitaries, community leaders and Team March members. The promotion means a lot to the general personally, he said, but he is happy to serve in any capacity. “As a second lieutenant, I never dreamed that I’d be a lieutenant colonel, much less having the blessing of serving in this capacity. With or without the promotion I feel blessed and fortunate.” Presiding over the ceremony was Lt. Gen. Carlton D. Everhart II, Eighteenth Air Force commander, who requested that the promotion order be published, and then administered the oath of office to Flournoy. Flournoy’s many years of service gives him experience to know that things will fall into place if you do the best job you can do at the job you are given, a practice which he works on daily while encouraging others to do the same. “I feel so fortunate to be able to work with so many professionals that are passionate about what they do, and to be able to go out and help them every day as the NAF (numbered Air Force) commander, to try to kick down doors and open up opportunities for people,” Flournoy said. “Any day I can do that, it’s a good day. I operate on a one team, no seam concept. I don’t care what uniform you are wearing or what patch you are wearing. The enemy is not inside the gate.” Someone gave him a chance and he hopes his promotion will allow him to give others some opportunities to excel and to do something beyond what they ever thought they would have the opportunity to accomplish. When people get possessive of their processes, finances, jobs, etc., Flournoy said it is difficult to go through change. “We are all in this for the betterment of the entire Department of Defense and the nation. We’ve got a job to do. Let’s go be the best we can at getting it done.” After the oath, the Blue Eagles Total Force Honor Guard furled Flournoy’s one-star flag and unfurled the two-star flag. The Air Force authorized individual flags to those who warrant them by virtue of their office. The U.S. Air Force incorporates the use of flags to signify the presence of a general officer. Flournoy’s flag will be present at all official military functions that he hosts and will be visibly displayed in his office. After making the list of presidential nominees a few weeks ago, Flournoy’s name was submitted to the Senate for approval, after which his March 27 promotion date was determined.