Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray toured units throughout U.S. Southern Command Jan. 16 to 19 to express Air Force leaders’ appreciation for what Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and civilians within the command do every day.

Chief Murray visited Airmen in Honduras, Ecuador, Colombia, Curacao Netherland Antilles and the command’s headquarters here. He said he will take back ideas on how to better train, equip and organize the force to Congress and senior leaders.

“The Air Force is a vital part of U.S. Southern Command’s mission,” the chief said. “It’s absolutely vital when you take into consideration the great land mass and distance this area encompasses with the air support required to carry out the mission.”

Airmen and Air Force assets support SOUTHCOM’s mission to conduct military operations and promote security cooperation to achieve U.S. strategic objectives. Those objectives include being the partner of choice for regional and hemispheric security, promoting democratic values and principles, demonstrating respect for human rights, and deterring, dissuading and defeating transnational threats to the stability of South and Central America and the Caribbean.

Chief Murray said he found all Airmen extremely competent and doing a great job with missions and goals.

“One thing this command clearly demonstrates is the teamwork that exists between the services and host nations in each location,” he said. “The joint environment experience is something we need to permeate throughout our Air Force. Airmen within SOUTHCOM can integrate the joint experience back into the Air Force to continue to develop the ever-changing mission of the Air Force.”

During his visit at SOUTHCOM headquarters Jan. 19, Chief Murray briefed Airmen on the future of the Air Force during an enlisted call.

“These are very challenging times,” he said of downsizing the Air Force. “(Leaders) will look at things great and small, they will look at issues factually, some of which may be very emotional to us as individuals and organizations. Some decisions may even cut into the very fiber of our Air Force.”

Chief Murray sited base realignment and closure -- the restructuring of units, missions and bases -- and the Quadrennial Defense Review as examples of what will help shape the future Air Force.

He said the Air Force needs $32.5 billion over the next five years to upgrade and modernize its fleet of aircraft.

“As we continue to maintain this lethal force, we’ll change current manpower by 40,000 to 50,000 from the active duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian force over the next several years. That’s going to be a significant change,” he said, noting that in the year 2011 the force will be more than 60 percent smaller than in 1990.

“New technology will enable us to be more streamlined, more effective,” he said. “Leadership is truly not looking to burden you with longer days or longer hours.”

Questions from the audience brought up the topic of developmental assignments, which will give Airmen the capability to grow as they build careers. He said Air Force Instruction 36-2618, The Enlisted Force Structure, talks about the development of the enlisted force through tactical, operational and strategic levels and will work for individual career fields.

Senior Airman Anna Ott, SOUTHCOM intelligence country analysis division, felt she was an important member of the Air Force team when chief Murray answered her question about the future of Airman Leadership School.

“When he told me that he had great expectations of me, as a senior airman, and was counting on me to become one of the frontline leaders of today’s Air Force, it made me feel good,” she said. “He gave us a lot of good information I hadn’t heard before.”

Chief Murray stressed the importance of professional military education as stepping stones according to a 30-year career plan so each step complements the other. He noted that 46 percent of the force looks to staff sergeants as frontline supervisors to lead them, train them and bring them up to Air Force standards.

“Your command has a small footprint of people doing incredible things, such as supporting and winning the war on drugs and the ongoing war on terrorism,” he said. “You must stay engaged. Each of you take part in saving American lives every day.”