Squadron commanders, first sergeants meet senior leaders

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ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. (AFPN) --  Squadron commanders and first sergeants had an opportunity to meet with the chief of staff of the Air Force during a conference here Jan. 24 and 25.  

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley called in Airmen from around the Air Force to get a candid perspective from the field while sharing his views on important issues facing the Air Force.

"The Air Force is at a historical crossroads," he said. "Today's global trends foreshadow significant challenges to our organization, systems, concepts and doctrine. We are a turning point that demands we redefine air power for the 21st century."

The squadron commanders and first sergeants asked pointed questions concerning the Air Force's personnel drawdown, new uniforms, the Air Force Combat Action medal criteria and AEF cycles. They also provided outspoken feedback in areas such as administrative support in the squadrons and child care.

"I worry about wars that are not of our choice," said General Moseley. "As the margins are reduced between us and our adversaries, they begin to think they can fight us on an equal plane.  I then worry that we will be drawn into a war not of our choosing. We cannot let this happen."

General Moseley explained the Air Force's priorities of winning today's fight, taking care of our people, and preparing for tomorrow's challenges, including a thorough discussion of the Air Force's top five acquisition priorities: a new tanker, a new combat search and rescue helicopter, space systems, the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter and a new bomber.

During his formal talk, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley spoke passionately about taking care of people. He emphasized the need for leaders to look their people in the eye and find out how they're doing.

"We must not lead by e-mail," Chief McKinley said. "Our people are our most prized possession and we owe it to them to do our level best to take care of them and their families."

Maj. Gen. Bill Chambers, director of strategic communications, added some insight to the current state of the Air Force.

"We are facing a perfect storm; this is a defining moment in our service's history," General Chambers said. "Both external environmental forces including the 'long war' and the internal challenges of our procurement holiday in the 1990s give us a finite time to set the conditions for our Air Force's success. This is our opportunity to define ourselves and state our case."

General Moseley encouraged everyone to focus on the future. 

"The battle we are facing today is radically different from what we faced in the past, and we must also be ready to face tomorrow's threats," he said. "The changes we're making today will prepare our people to meet that threat, and give them the tools to win the fight." 

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