MINOT AIR FORCE BASE Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will visit Minot Air Force Base Wednesday.
Mullen is the highest ranking military officer in the U.S. armed forces and is the principal military adviser to President Barack Obama and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, as well as to the National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council. Gates visited Minot AFB on Dec. 1.
Mullen's visit is a "listen-and-learn" tour for the admiral, Minot AFB officials said. It will feature an all-hands call when Mullen will take questions from base members and a lunch with junior enlisted airmen.
Mullen will also tour several base facilities to learn more about the base's mission and operations.
Gov. John Hoeven and Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., are among dignitaries expected to attend the event.
Mullen was sworn in as the 17th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Oct. 1, 2007.
A native of Los Angeles, Mullen graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., in 1968.
He has commanded three ships. As a flag officer, he commanded Cruiser-Destroyer Group 2, the George Washington Battle Group and the U.S. 2nd Fleet/NATO Striking Fleet Atlantic. Ashore he has served in various leadership positions. He was the 32nd vice chief of Naval Operations from August 2003 to October 2004. His last operational assignment was as the commander of NATO Joint Force Command Naples/Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe. He has advanced degrees from other institutions.
Before becoming chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mullen served as the 28th chief of Naval Operations.