CSAF addresses AFA convention

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Russell Petcoff
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  Gen. Norton Schwartz, chief of staff of the Air Force, spoke Sept. 15 on his vision for the future, jointness, the Year of the Air Force Family and honored heroic sacrifices of Airmen.
 
The general made his comments in a keynote address at the Air Force Association's Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition 2009 at the Gaylord National Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Md. 

The general said the past year has been challenging for the Air Force, calling it "a year of turmoil." 

"A year ago, I spoke of a 'back-to-basics' approach for the Air Force, a bit of triage in which we had to recalibrate in critical areas where we had lost focus," General Schwartz said. 

"We navigated through a challenging but ultimately healthy period of inspection and introspection with a recommitment to our heritage of excellence," he added. 

The general credited the success of the "back-to-basics" program to the leadership of Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Airmen. 

With Secretary Donley's sharp vision and steady hand, the Air Force has successfully overcome the turbulence and is now looking forward, the general said. 

"Airmen at all levels stepped forward and provided the extra measure of moral and physical courage, initiative, selflessness, attention to detail and ingenuity that brought us to where we are today," General Schwartz said. 

"It was a thing of beauty to watch, Airmen being Airmen," the chief of staff added.
 
General Schwartz talked about what he envisions for the Air Force's future. 

"With the help of everyone in this room, and of others who share this vision with us, we can again be ambitious about charting a bold, visionary course for our Air Force," General Schwartz said, "with a focus, ladies and gentlemen, more on what we are for, and what we want to be, and less, much less, on what we're against. 

"I envision an Air Force that effectively controls and exploits air and space, and eventually cyberspace, in ways that provide even greater margins of global stability and economic vitality," the general said. 

For example, General Schwartz mentioned how cyberspace attacks and electronic warfare technologies threaten to undermine America's technological advantages in the battlespace. To help keep America's edge, General Schwartz called on collaborative efforts among the Air Force, allies and scientific and industrial communities to develop solutions. 

"We need an Air Force that continues to provide compelling conventional and nuclear capabilities that assure allies, and dissuade and deter potential adversaries from attacking our nation or its vital interests. 

To achieve this, the chief of staff called for "a next-generation long-range strike and reconnaissance capability" to allow the Air Force to confront enemies wherever they are globally. 

"Surely, there will be greatly increased demand for overhead and air-breathing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities so that our military forces and national leadership retain an unprecedented understanding of the global operating environment," General Schwartz said. 

"Our ability to operate in air, space and cyberspace gives our nation a clear advantage in speed, range and flexibility," he said. 

Moving on to joint missions, General Schwartz said Air Force officials will do "whatever is necessary to help the joint team win today's fight." He said operations are not about showing the strength of the Air Force above the other services. The Air Force's contributions highlight the service's commitment to the joint fight, "as we should neither seek to outdo nor to take credit." 

"For in the end, the thrill of victory is amplified and the distress of setbacks is lessened when we operate as a joint team, together and unified in effort," he said. "In the end, there is no Air Force victory in war, or Air Force loss in war, only the United States of America stumbles or succeeds." 

The general said there's a growing demand for airlift, unmanned aircraft systems, satellite bandwidth, close-air support and "beyond-the-wire" combat Airmen. 

"America can always count on the U.S. Air Force to deliver," General Schwartz said. 

The general said the Air Force also will deliver in supporting Airmen and their families. He said the Air Force is two months into "The Year of the Air Force Family," which runs until July 2010. 

"We will devote this year to identifying what we are doing right, and what we need to do better, to support the entire Air Force family," General Schwartz said. He added the goal of the year's focus is to "rekindle the sense of community" throughout the Air Force. 

To illustrate the sacrifices Airmen are making, General Schwartz highlighted Senior Airman Danny Williams and Tech. Sgt. (ret.) Matthew Slaydon. Airman Williams, who was in attendance during General Schwartz's address, received a standing ovation. 

Airman Williams is an explosive ordnance disposal specialist from the 60th Civil Engineer Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, Calif. On April 4, Airman Williams saw an improvised explosive device claim the life of his team leader, Tech. Sgt. Philip Myers. 

"Shaken, but driven by his firm determination and mission focus, Airman Williams took charge," General Schwartz said. "(He) stopped those rushing toward the still-live IED who were attempting to aid Sergeant Myers, thus preventing more casualties." Airman Williams picked up his fellow Airman and carried him from the danger zone and neutralized the IED, General Schwartz said. 

"His actions saved lives and reopened the evacuation route that was blocked by the explosives," the general said. 

Though not in attendance, General Schwartz recognized Sergeant Slaydon in the context of personal commitment to the Air Force's culture of excellence. Sergeant Slaydon was an IED technician in Iraq in 2007 who survived a blast 2-feet away. The general said he recently attended the NCO's retirement. 

"For those of you who have the privilege of knowing this remarkable warrior, husband and Airman, you have seen first-hand the power and resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity," General Schwartz said. 

The general said the Air Force can learn from Sergeant Slaydon and Airman Williams.
 
"They are quiet men of resounding action, living examples of the fact that words mean very little, as it is our actions that will determine our value and lasting contributions," General Schwartz said. 

"And we all could benefit by promising a little less and delivering a little more," the chief of staff said, "because in the end, only results matter."