Gen. Wyatt: Maintainers must look beyond future

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke
  • National Guard Bureau
ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) --  The future will provide some "great opportunities" for the Air National Guard, but it will also take a completely different way of thinking, the ANG director said Oct. 15 at the ANG Maintenance Group Mega-Conference in Boise, Idaho.

"For those in this room, we're going to rely on your skills as great maintainers, but you may be maintaining something you never thought you'd put your hands on," said Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III to the conference attendees.

Adapting to changes in the active duty Air Force is critical, General Wyatt added. There are new platforms and new missions, including unmanned aircraft systems, and the Air Guard needs to be an integral part of these changes.

"All services are looking beyond the challenges we face today, and the ability to adapt to a changing environment really begins and stops with our people," he said.

Air Guard members need to understand these new roles and command organizations in current operations. That understanding exists to a certain degree, "but we need to elevate that presence into command and higher levels of responsibility to be the Airmen of the future," General Wyatt said. "I need your help in doing that."

Commanders should provide their officers and enlisted personnel with a more joint professional military education. 

"We need (you) to develop our younger Airmen by taking (them) under your wings and giving them the opportunities to succeed and exceed expectations," he said. "We need to have more flexible and adaptable Airmen.

"I know we have the ability, the skills and expertise, because every time the Air Force gets into a pickle, they call upon the Air National Guard," General Wyatt said.

The Air Guard is flying more now than it has ever flown before. And as the fleet ages, the good news is, the Air National Guard is included in Air Force processes. For example, General Wyatt said he participates in high-level discussions that involve the Air Guard.

And last week, the Air Guard was invited to appoint an officer to the KC-X selection committee. 

"We will have an input in the selection of the next (mid-air refueling) tanker," General Wyatt said. "That doesn't mean we're going to get our way, but the Air Force is listening to us."