Chief McKinley talks about Air Force focus areas

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Dorian Chapman
  • 17 Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  "Hold your heads up high," said Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley during his enlisted call in the Louis F. Garland Department of Defense Fire Academy high bay here Aug. 13. 

The chief opened his talk by telling Airmen that despite the bumps and bruises the Air Force has taken in the world community lately, "Airmen are doing an incredible job." 

The chief went on to relay some focus areas that newly appointed Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz is targeting in order to enhance operations, polish the service's reputation and regain any loss of faith by the American people. 

The first focus is to reinvigorate the Air Force nuclear enterprise. 

According to Chief McKinley, a primary target area must be a commitment to our nuclear weapons programs. 

"Focus has drifted away for a period of time," Chief McKinley said. "Our inspections have declined over the years and so has our focus. We must regain confidence that the U.S. Air Force will safeguard our nation's nuclear weapons." 

The chief was referencing the unintentional transport of nuclear weapons that occurred in August 2007 and the mistaken shipment of nuclear-capable fuses to Taiwan discovered earlier this year.
 
Though there is no indication Air Force officials will recreate the Strategic Air Command of yesteryear, Chief McKinley did say he believes the Air Force needs to incorporate some of the aspects of SAC, including inspections and scrutiny of nuclear weapons security.
 
"We need to make sure the American public knows we've got the stick," he said. 

A second focus is on the commitment to winning the war on terrorism.

"The enemy wants to change our way of life," Chief McKinley said. "It's a love and hate relationship: the enemy hates the way we live and we love our freedoms," he said about the war on terrorism, emphasizing the Air Force is in the fight with the other Services. 

"We must adapt and work more closely in the Joint community," the chief said. "All the services working together make us all more efficient and effective." 

The chief said he does not foresee a victory over terrorism anytime soon and this will be a long war. It is critical for servicemembers and the public to understand the differences between this war and past wars. 

"We need to keep the war on terrorism on their 2-yard line, not ours," he said. "It's going to be a long war on more than one front," Chief McKinley said, referencing terrorist activity in locations around the world, not just in Southwest Asia. "We are fighting for our children, our grandchildren and our entire way of life." 

A third focus is on taking care of Airmen and their families 

"Only 73 percent of the public graduates high school," Chief McKinley said, emphasizing that a basic requirement for Air Force enlistment is a high school diploma. 

The chief then explained how additional factors such as medical issues continue to diminish the number of potential recruits. 

"This leaves about 15 percent of the population for us to recruit from," Chief McKinley calculated, pointing out that simply qualifying for military service in the Air Force requires being a cut above the rest. 

The chief cited superior recruiting programs, basic training, technical schools and First Term Airman Centers as being pivotal to developing Airmen and allowing them to meet their full potential. But according to the chief, it can't stop there. 

Airmen must ensure they continue to emphasize the service's core values in everything they do. The great things learned in BMT must remain throughout each Airman's career. Every Airman must also focus on his or her technical expertise and do the best jobs possible. 

A fourth focus is modernizing Air Force equipment. 

"The average age of Air Force aircraft is 24 years old," Chief McKinley said. 

"Other countries are stepping up to new technologies" in their aircraft, he said. "We have to focus on the current war, but at the same time plan for the next one." 

Chief McKinley said he does not expect to see additional personnel cuts to pay for the continued modernization of the fleet. 

"We didn't really benefit from the gains of current force-shaping cutbacks because of skyrocketing fuel costs and other factors," he said. "Better acquisition processes and use of resources will be key to continued recapitalization," he added. 

A fifth focus is on acquisition process improvement 

"It is important that the Air Force be responsible with taxpayer's money," the chief said, explaining that many people are steadily working to determine exactly how many new F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft and C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft the Air Force needs. 

"We have great professionals working Air Force acquisitions to meet all our requirements," he said.  "I have tremendous faith in the experts we have working this program." 

Additionally, a great amount of research and effort is being spent to determine the best way to acquire new tanker aircraft. 

"Some of our tankers are over 50 years old," Chief McKinley SAID. 

The chief also opened the floor to questions from the estimated 800 Airmen present. Questions included Airman Battle Uniform and physical training uniform concerns, PT test issues, and "What does it take to be the chief master sergeant of the Air Force?" 

Chief McKinley said we can expect a lighter version of the ABU to be available in summer 2009. He also indicated efforts are already underway to ensure a better consistency of coloration for the ABU. 

The chief said the PT uniform is under revision to allow a more comfortable fit. 

"We owe it to every Airman in the Air Force to do the (quality assurance) to ensure when you buy a uniform off the shelf, we have it right," the chief said. 

As for the Air Force physical training test, the chief said. 

"Be fit! Know when to push away from the table," he said. 

Chief McKinley also stressed the importance of integrity and honesty during the testing process and indicated that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important for all Airmen. 

As for advice on becoming the Air Force's top enlisted Airman, "It was never my goal to be the chief master sergeant of the Air Force," he said. "I was a crew chief doing my job. I became a first sergeant because I want to take care of people. I have always concentrated on doing the best job I can, whatever the job was, and let leadership decide where I go next." 

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