Chief master sergeant of the Air Force visits Joint Base Balad

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jake Richmond
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
The Air Force's top enlisted Airman visited Joint Base Balad, Iraq Dec. 4, to talk to Airmen and survey the base's missions. 

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy discussed deployed Airmen responsibilities and concerns during a morning Airmen's call. 

There are about 200,000 Airmen currently employed by combatant commands around the world, Chief Roy said. He also stressed that enlisted leaders have three priorities: First, take care of the mission; second, take care of your people; and third, comply with standards. 

Chief Roy also shared his thoughts about the concept of airmanship.

"Airmanship is one of those things that's defined as what we do as Airmen; how we're developed and how we conduct ourselves out there amongst our joint and coalition teams," Chief Roy said. "As I've traveled around the world and visited many different air forces, it's a common theme across all air forces. But unlike other air forces, the United States Air Force, I believe, has it right on target."

I am absolutely impressed with the caliber of all of our servicemembers; all of our Airmen, our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and our coalition forces, the chief said. "The teamwork that I see, the general commonality of what the mission is, the absolute focus of what our Airmen and other servicemembers are doing is just spot-on. We're focused and on-target every time."

The quality of the servicemembers is partly credited to the support of their families, and as this is the 'Year of the Air Force Family,'" Chief Roy recognized it's importance.

"Secretary (of the Air Force Michael B.) Donley and (Gen. Norton Schwartz) the chief of staff have designated this year as the 'Year of the Air Force Family,'" he said. "It's significant and important to understand and recognize the absolute sacrifices that our men and women and their families endure each and every day. Although American citizens may appreciate it, they'll never fully understand all the sacrifices. So, therefore, we have to have something to help recognize those programs that help our Airmen each and every day and their families."
  
The chief had a final thought of support for deployed Airmen.

"If there's one thing I would like every Airman to understand out of their time in the Air Force, whether that is that first four years of enlistment, whether that's somebody who's coming up on their 30 years of enlistment, it's to fully understand and appreciate how much we, as America, depend on them and how appreciative we are of their many sacrifices," he said.