CMSAF discusses current Air Force issues

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Larlee
  • 438th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
KABUL, Afghanistan (AFNS) --  Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy discussed top Air Force issues with more than 100 military members at Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan, Feb. 1.

Roy spoke about budget issues, resiliency and future capabilities of the Air Force.

The chief said he attempts to visit the advisers at the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing every time he visits locations in the U.S. Central Command. He said it is a mission he believes in and that he had a similar experience when he was the senior enlisted leader and adviser at U.S. Pacific Command.

"I think air advisers are pretty important," Roy said. "It takes a special person to fill your role."

The chief said that in helping build another nation's military, Airmen get an opportunity to take a look in the mirror and realize what a professional enlisted force the U.S. military has. The end game is for the advisors to work their way out of a job and transition control back to the Afghan government.

Front and center throughout the chief's speech was the effects a lower budget will have on the Air Force. With an increasing national debt, it would be irresponsible if the military continued to do business as usual, he said. Leaders need to take a hard look at what capabilities a future force would be able to support.

"We are not going to do more with less," Roy said. "We are beyond that point. In fact, we are not going to do the same with less. We want you to define what we have the capability to do."

Roy called for strong leadership in the enlisted ranks to help facilitate this future transformation.

"If there was ever a time for strong senior enlisted leadership, it is today," he said. "We have some challenges ahead of us. We need to be bold in our leadership."

Military members will have to stay resilient during this turbulent period of change, Roy said. In fact, with such a high deployment rate, he said that he feels the resiliency of family members should not be overlooked either. He encouraged all of the attendees to make use of today's communication technology and keep in contact with their loved ones.

"I realize there is a lot of stress out there and your families have to deal with a lot," Roy said. "Please do the Air Force leadership a favor and tell them how much we absolutely appreciate their sacrifices."