Aviation pioneer says 'know your stuff'

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Amy Christopher
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
Retired Lt. Gen. William E. Brown Jr., guest speaker here for the base's Black History Month kick-off luncheon, advised airmen to "Know your stuff."

The general said it was an important element that led him -- as a black American -- to a very successful career.

That career began in 1951, spanned the Korean and Vietnam Wars and ended in 1985 when he commanded Allied Air Forces Southern Europe.

"There are four things that helped me along the way, besides just getting up and going to work, and the first is -- know your stuff," said Brown. "While it's true that Woody Allen once said, '90 percent of life is just showing up,' the first job that every Air Force person should have is to know the requirements of their career assignments and stay up to speed -- especially in the Air Force where things are constantly changing."

The second thing he cited as a key to success is the order in which he handles business.

"Every boss has problems," said the general. "You'll see people working really hard -- coming in early and staying late -- but they're usually working on projects of their own. I would always work on my own problems after I worked on my bosses' problems."

Brown said preparing for future opportunities also played a key role in helping him reach extraordinary levels in the Air Force.

"You can't wait for opportunities to come and then start preparing," he said. "You have to be prepared in advance ... because for every job out there, there is someone ... who wants it, maybe even more than you do."

In order to ensure people are ready for their opportunities, Brown recommends self-education as well as thinking ahead.

"You have to take the courses you need, whatever it takes, to prepare for the next level or someone else will take that opportunity," he said.

The last principle Brown stressed was the Air Force core value of "excellence in all you do."

"On top of it all is to keep your 'mach' up. What I mean is you have to continue to work hard, no matter how comfortable you feel or what situation or circumstances you're in," said the general.

While he developed and lived by these four principles throughout his career, Brown said his initial goal was to just make major.

"There was a major ... who drove a big Cadillac," said the general. "I thought, 'Wow, wouldn't it be nice to be a major and drive a Cadillac?' Well, I made it a whole lot farther than I thought I would, but I never did buy a Cadillac. I believe I worked hard enough at it. I also believe I was in the right places at the right time."

Brown also believes having a good mentor helped him achieve success. While many people have role models, few have one as famous in Air Force history as the mentor Brown had.

"As a second lieutenant, I'd just graduated from flying school and arrived at Williams Air Force Base, Ariz., where I met a young major, Woodrow W. Crockett," said Brown. "I was 24 then, and he was 33. We still live about 20 minutes away from each other."

Crockett was one of the Tuskegee Airmen, the group that paved the way for many blacks after being trained near Tuskegee, Ala., in the height of racial segregation in the military and throughout the country. Crockett and his comrades flew more than 15,000 combat sorties, destroyed more than 1,000 German aircraft, earned hundreds of Air Medals and earned more than 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses.

Crockett flew more combat missions than any other Tuskegee Airman. He flew the P-39, P-40, P-51, B-17 and P-80 in combat in Korea.

On top of Crockett's impressive flying ability, Brown said he also admired his mentor's courage and commitment to duty.

"Before Crockett's retirement he said he wanted to take an instrument check, which I couldn't believe because nobody likes someone looking over their shoulder," said Brown. "But he did it anyway. So, I asked him 'Why?' and he said, 'I wanted to be sure that I could still do the mission the day I left the service.' When I heard this, I was taken (aback). It showed his true devotion to flying and to the service."

The two remain very close.

"For 50 years, he's been my role model," said the general. "He's still my role model today."

Mentors and principles were keys to helping Brown stay on track to success when circumstances certainly were not always in his favor. Though the Tuskegee Airmen had opened the doors, racism certainly had not disappeared. When he arrived in Korea in the early 1950s, he joined the 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing. There were only three other black pilots.

"It was added pressure," said the general. "We couldn't screw up because if we made any mistakes, they'd label all of us for it. That extra motivation kept us sharp and made us work that much harder to do our jobs to the best of our abilities."

The general flew 125 combat missions in Korea and another 100 combat missions during tours of duty in Thailand at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base in 1966 and in 1969. His approach to combat zones varied little from his daily approach to life.

"I'm just very thankful to have been able to come home after three combat assignments," said the general. "Being here (at Elmendorf) reminds me of what it's like to be in the service again."

While at Elmendorf, Brown took a short tour of the base, including a stop at the 90th Fighter Squadron. While walking through the hangar, he stopped to look at the 90th's history photos and found two men he had served with, one of them, a former roommate.

"It shows how small our Air Force is," said the general. "It also speaks volumes about the common bond and understanding you develop with the people you serve with. It's something you take with you forever."

The general cited the proliferation of computers and the highly advanced equipment as major changes in the force, besides people being better trained.

"It's fascinating to see (the current) generation of Air Force people doing creative and meaningful things," said Brown.