Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Roy talk to personnel assigned to Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., during an Airman’s Call Nov. 20, held at the base’s 3-Bay hangar. This was second stop for Welsh and Roy during their tour of the nation’s intercontinental ballistic missile force and Welsh’s first visit to Malmstrom as the chief of staff. (U.S. Air Force photo/John Turner)
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Roy operates the hoist inside a Minuteman Payload Transporter III van, Nov. 20 at the T-9 maintenance trainer. Staff Sgts. Michael Adams and Michael Johnson, 341st Maintenance Operations Squadron team trainers, and Airman 1st Class Thomas Dekowski, a 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron tool room technician, observe and prepare to stow reentry system handling gear for transport. (U.S. Air Force photo/John Turner)
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Tech. Sgt. Justin Richie, a 341st Maintenance Operations Squadron team trainer, ride in a work cage, Nov. 20, inside the T-9 maintenance trainer at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. (U.S. Air Force photo/Beau Wade)
by Airman 1st Class Cortney Paxton
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
11/21/2012 - MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. (AFNS) -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Roy visited Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., Nov. 19 and 20 to meet with Airmen and see the base's nuclear deterrence mission.
Welsh and Roy spoke at an Airman's Call where they emphasized that Airmen, driven by pride, do their best when performing their jobs and accomplishing the mission.
"In our business, great people plus pride equals performance," Welsh said. "And we only have one bottom line in this business, and that's performance. The American people are going to judge us on one thing: do we win the next war."
Comprehensive Airman Fitness -- caring for Airman and families -- has an important role in that, according to Roy.
"The whole idea and essence behind this is to know each other and to know yourself; to know your breaking point and be able to work through that," Roy said. Know your buddy's breaking point -- your wingman's breaking point -- and be able to work through that. And this also goes for your families."
While visiting Malmstrom Air Force Base, the Air Force leaders met with Airmen who support the Air Force's nuclear enterprise through specialized capabilities. This included first responders like fire protection, explosive ordnance disposal and security forces during an emergency responder expo. Following the expo, the two visited the 341st Medical Group and 341st Maintenance Group for additional tours and discussions with Airmen.
Betty Welsh and Paula Roy also visited with the Airmen of Team Malmstrom. They toured the Airmen's Center and Grizzly Bend where they spoke to Airmen and Family Readiness personnel and key spouses about the programs available to support Airmen, families, retirees and the community.
Welsh and Roy wrapped up their tour of Malmstrom at a luncheon with various members of wing leadership. This luncheon was a chance for the squadron commanders, wing chiefs, the Airman Executive Council, the 5/6 Alliance Council, and others to talk with the Air Force's senior leaders.
During the lunch, Welsh underscored what he said about performance during the Airman's Call.
"Folks, our job is to fight and win the nation's wars," Welsh said. "It's an ugly job. It's a really ugly job some days, but if your job is to do that -- to defend your nation and your people -- then you'll never be good enough at it. So every day you come to work, you ought to be trying to get better at it."
