Combat Nighthawk increases awareness

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Claudette Hutchinson
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Company grade and senior noncommissioned officers here are teaming up to further develop their leadership skills and increase their overall understanding of all aspects of the operational mission, as part of a Combat Nighthawk initiative.

Combat Nighthawk is a leadership development and career-broadening program for CGOs and senior NCOs implemented by Gen. Robert H. "Doc" Foglesong, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander.

"This is a COMUSAFE initiative designed to expose CGOs and senior NCOs to other facets of the operation and allow them to act as the eyes and ears of the wing commander," said Maj. Michael Biorn, Combat Nighthawk project officer.

Pairing CGOs and senior NCOs from the various organizations gives them a broader perspective on the roles and responsibilities of the different groups and squadrons within the wing or group. The teams work between 6 p.m. and midnight and usually visit several work centers during their shifts. They then report the outcome, whether good or bad, to the wing commander and other base leaders.

"Combat Nighthawk was an awesome experience,” said Master Sgt. Damian Orslene, 48th Mission Support Squadron relocations and employments superintendent. Sergeant Orslene’s team was able to experience the airman's perspective at the front gate, the emergency room, the weather flight, the tower, the propulsion shop and more.

"Every where we went that night I asked three questions … 'What do you love about your job?' ‘What do you hate about your job?' And ‘As the wing commander’s representative out here tonight, if I could fix one thing for you what would it be?'" said Sergeant Orslene.

The feedback to these and other questions are exactly what the leadership is seeking, and according to Sergeant Orslene, these questions did just that.

"Not only did we get great feedback, but also, we stood shoulder to shoulder with the troops in the rain and waved in cars, we learned about the security systems at the front gate, and we asked questions and got real answers," Sergeant Orslene said.

This program gives individuals, who normally do not have routine contact with their senior leadership, the opportunity to pass information to their commanders. The benefit of this feedback is that it seeks information on areas that may need to be addressed, Major Biorn explained.

"You should have seen the young troops' eyes light up when we asked about an equipment part, or a procedure. The depth of their pride was amazing," Sergeant Orslene said.

Sergeant Orslene is convinced that the program works.

"After I submitted my report about all those things I heard that night, the final thrill came when I had a conversation with one of the commanders about my Nighthawk inputs. He said he was going to the shop that next day to talk to the troops about the things they asked for, and see how he could get (the items) for them.

"And that is what it is all about,” Sergeant Orslene said. “Senior NCOs and CGOs out there where the metal meets the meat, taking care of the troops."