Airmen gather at Air Force Sergeant Association Conference

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nicholas Pilch
  • 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
ORLANDO, Fla. (AFPN) --  The Air Force Sergeants Association met here for a week, starting Aug. 19, to discuss issues Airmen are facing in the Air Force.

"This conference is an excellent opportunity for today's Airmen to meet with our knowledgeable and experienced veteran Airmen to discuss topics and issues important to the Airmen, their families and the mission," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley.

AFSA is an international organization comprised of Air Force enlistees, both active and retired, of all grades, including Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.  It is a federally chartered, non-profit organization representing the professional and personal interests of active duty and retired enlisted members of the Air Force.

"Air Force professional organizations are important to Air Force people and the mission," said Chief McKinley.  "These organizations enhance the professional development of our Airmen and provide visibility for our air, space and cyberspace missions at a grass roots-level around the nation."

During the week, first sergeants also came together for their 13th annual worldwide First Sergeants Conference.

"The First Sergeants Conference enhances cross-communication to these senior enlisted leaders who are key to the morale, welfare and leadership of our Airmen," said Chief McKinley. "Subject-matter experts brief total force first sergeants on upcoming changes in the Air Force, leadership challenges, quality-of-life, health, morale and welfare matters."

Throughout the week, the first sergeants and Airmen met daily to be updated on different programs such as enlisted professional military education, Air Force Aid, Air Force Enlisted Village, the Airmen and Family Readiness Center and professional development.

Command chief master sergeants from the major commands also took part in the events all week, attending discussions and sitting on a board of chiefs to determine awards for different Airmen.

"By bringing our MAJCOM command chief master sergeants and other senior enlisted leaders together to participate in discussions and hear topics from briefers across the Air Force spectrum, we better enabled our senior enlisted leaders to address top Air Force issues from a timely and relevant perspective," said Chief McKinley.

Senior Master Sgt. Scott Delveau, an Air Combat Command representative, said every Airman who was here walked away with a different perspective, learning from all the briefers and leaders.

Airmen will take what they learned back to their units and spread the word of the AFSA, said Chief McKinley.

"Our veteran AFSA members are still serving," he said. "They support and actively advocate our on-going efforts to fight the war on terrorism while procuring state-of-the-art weapons systems and taking care of Airmen and their families ... once an Airman, always an Airman!" 

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