News>CSAF discusses budget, deployments in Southwest Asia
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Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz greets deployed Airmen during a visit to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia on Nov. 14, 2011. The chief of staff visited Airmen throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in conjunction with attending the Dubai International Air Chiefs Conference. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Patrick Mitchell)
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz talks with the deployed men and women of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia on Nov. 14, 2011. The chief of staff visited Airmen throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in conjunction with attending the Dubai International Air Chiefs Conference. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Patrick Mitchell)
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Lt. Gen. Herbert Carlisle, the Air Force deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and requirements, talk with Senior Master Sgt. Christian Cahalan from the 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron during a visit to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia on Nov. 14, 2011. Cahalan is the superintendent for the RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft maintenance unit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Patrick Mitchell)
by Master Sgt. Chance Babin
380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
11/16/2011 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz paid a visit to the Airmen of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing here Nov. 14.
The general, who serves as the senior uniformed Air Force officer, met with the men and women of the 380th AEW during an all call to discuss current Air Force issues and take questions from the audience.
"The 380th is doing stuff that really matters," Schwartz said. "What happens here is central to what's happening in U.S. Air Forces Central Command. My hat's off to you."
In particular, Schwartz stressed the important deterrent role the 380th AEW plays in the region.
"We are here making sure friends and potential adversaries in the area keep our presence in the back of their minds," he said.
He also addressed the potential for a smaller Air Force, given the budget challenges the nation faces, and how this might affect Airmen and their families.
"The bottom line is that it's OK to get smaller, but we'll remain ready, and we will still be feared by our adversaries," Schwartz said. "That's what we're about."
One of the ways the Air Force can deal with smaller budgets is by keeping the number of personnel in the service at its authorized ceiling, Schwartz said.
"We take no pleasure in doing this, but we have to," Schwartz said. "We are doing our best to ensure those affected land on their feet, because this is a family business. The idea is to get down to ceiling, and to get this behind us, so our people don't have to continue to worry about their futures."
The general also discussed the Air Force's plans to revise the current deployment system. Under "AEF Next," more Airmen will deploy in unit-sized teams from their home base rather than through individual unit-type codes. In addition to greater teaming, this will allow the Air Force to synchronize personnel assignments with the deployment tempo, he said.
The final topic the general discussed was the issue of suicide and the importance of resiliency.
"There's nothing more tragic than one of our teammates choosing to make a permanent decision to take his or her life," he said. "I want to make a personal appeal to everybody here to look out for their fellow Airmen."
Schwartz concluded the event by thanking the participants for their questions and for their service.
"The American people trust in the U.S. Air Force," he said. "There's no substitute for what we do, and that is why we all have an obligation to perform at a level the American people expect and to do it in a way that retains their trust."
Comments
11/22/2011 10:07:26 AM ET When the AF needs to take action to stay below the authorized ceiling.....why doesn't it just retire the highest year AD officers and enlisted until the desired amount is met? This would create openings for promotion, get new eyes in senior level positions, provide incentive to those at the top to NOT over recruit, those leaving would be leaving with their retirement intact because they would all have over 20 years and would not leave the bad taste that RIFs and DOS rollbacks do.
RWG, YARS
11/18/2011 9:38:53 AM ET Glad to see the CSAF come out to the AOR and discuss these issues. However, why is it that all the USAF generals only visit the deployed air bases There are lots of us deployed airmen stationed at Army bases. HQ USAF--please make an effort to include all airmen in your next GO visit to the AOR. The bases are not that far apart.
