AFSPC command chief advocates for space Airmen at AFA forum

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Patrice Clarke
  • 50th Space Wing Public Affairs
OXON HILL, Md. (AFNS) --  The merits and issues affecting the men and women of Air Force Space Command were brought to the forefront during a Command Chief Master Sergeant Forum at the Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition Sept. 14 here.

More than 150 conference attendees were on hand as command chiefs from across the Air Force took time during the forum to answer questions. Hot on the ticket were questions about social media, fitness, total force integration and what keeps these senior leaders up at night.

Chief Master Sgt. Todd Small, command chief for Air Force Space Command, was on the panel along with command chiefs from Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Force Reserve Command, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Combat Command. The chiefs were given time to reflect on their commands before the questions began. Chief Small began his portion of the forum by telling the merits of the AFSPC Airman.

"The capabilities we provide are needed," Chief Small said. "We work hard to ensure the joint warfighter can see with clarity, communicate with certainty, navigate with accuracy, network with assurance and, when called upon by the proper authority, strike with absolute, deadly precision. Space Command Airmen bring that capability."

Questions concerning social media, and the time lost by Airmen surfing social media sites during duty hours were brought up during the forum, with Chief Small taking the lead on those answers.

"Well I would offer that we probably lose less time from Airmen surfing Facebook than from the Airmen standing outside smoking," the chief said. "We as an Air Force have a message to deliver and we have to use every tool at our disposal. Social media, I believe, is not a passing fad. If we can get to our Airmen and their families from there, I believe that we should. "

The new fitness program garnered many questions from the audience for the chiefs.

"Look left and right.  If you see someone who you think just might not make that tape measure, then we have an issue," said Chief Master Sgt. Martin Klukas, the ACC command chief. "I truly believe that there are some folks out there who really need some help. Most Airmen don't wake up every day and ask themselves 'how can I get fatter today?' and they also don't ask themselves 'how can I get kicked out of the Air Force today?'  We need to seriously educate Airmen and their families so that we can get healthier."

Chief Small also had comments on this issue.

"Space Command has embraced the new fitness test, as you can expect," he said. "I think the encouraging piece of this is that we have almost doubled the (number) of Airmen from the low 20 percent to the high 30 percent who are making an excellent on their test across the Air Force. That's a message that's not coming through. The young staff sergeant (physical training leader) who tested me and others did everything he was supposed to. He demonstrated the correct movement, he read from the (Air Force instruction) and when I was down cranking out pushups, he had no problem telling the squadron commander to my left that he needed to go lower and reset the count."

The status of total force integration and many new initiatives also were brought up at the forum.

"We rely extremely heavily on the Air Force Reserve," Chief Small said. "The (Air Force Reserve Command's) 310th Space Wing out at Schriever Air Force Base (Colo.), is every bit a part of Air Force Space Command as the 50th Space Wing is (also at Schriever AFB). The global positioning system circling the globe everyday is run not only by the (Airmen at the) 2nd Space Operations Squadron but by (Airmen in the Air Force Reserve Command's) 219th Space Operations Squadron. Across every mission system throughout the command, we are heavily embraced with our Reserve partners."

As the question and answer portion of the forum wrapped up, the last question brought forward was: 'what keeps these chiefs up at night?' For many the answer revolved around one thing: people.

"Having been a chief who has had to attend a memorial service three times in a month, the safety of our Airmen is definitely high on my mind," said Chief Master Sgt. Pamela Derrow, the USAFE command chief. "I can tell you it was very disturbing.

"You would think it was the young Airmen, the young riders who were out joy riding," she said, "but that wasn't it at all. These were experienced riders. We are trying to figure out how we can prevent this. Every life is important, every member is an important part of the team. That's what keeps me up at night. How do we get our Airmen to be safe?"

Chief Small spoke about what keeps him up at night as well.

"It's not satellites in space," he said.  "It's not missile warning. It's not any of those things because General Kehler and I both know that we have the Airmen, officers, civilians, contractors and industry partners who are well-trained and well-developed to execute those missions daily.  What keeps me awake is our people and how well we take care of them. We need to focus on our outreach and our communication. The key is getting the information about the tremendous amount of resources available to the people who need those resources."

The forum ended with all the chiefs thanking the Air Force Association for allowing them to participate and inviting all attendees to participate in as much of the conference as they can.