Air Force official calls for input from deployed Airmen

  • Published
  • By Capt. Martin Gerst
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  The assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and Reserve affairs met with Airmen here April 9 to discuss important issues affecting as he tours the deployed theater.

Craig W. Duehring met with several Air Force active-duty, Guard and Reserve members deployed to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing here and discussed deployment cycles, manpower cuts, Air Force end strength, and the new airman battle uniform.

Mr. Duehring is a political appointee who heads a four-division department that deals at the policy level with Air Force manpower and Reserve affairs issues. The purpose of his visit was to gather information on deployments and effects they have on Airmen.

"As an enlisted representative for my unit, I was able to express my concerns about (the) current ABU design," said Master Sgt Keith Custer, the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron first sergeant. "Specifically, I addressed the weight of the material and its non-suitability to this environment."

Airmen raised concerns about the increasing length and frequency of deployments. And some Guard members were concerned about the impact on them in filling those requirements and being able to maintain their jobs at home when called to active duty.
"Our goal is flexibility," Mr. Duehring said. "If we don't meet their needs, they're not going to be able to meet ours."

"It was definitely a good forum to up-channel information from the field to key leadership," said Senior Master Sgt. Arris Hill, assigned to the 380th ESFS. 

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