Cody visits Soto Cano Air Base

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jessica Condit
  • Joint Task Force-Bravo Public Affairs
SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras (AFNS) --  Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody visited with Airmen during a trip April 13-15, at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras.

Cody visited numerous sections within the 612th Air Base Squadron and talked with Airmen on a personal level, holding several face-to-face conversations during his visit.

Additionally, Cody held two all calls at the base fire station where he discussed contemporary issues and challenges for today's Air Force and took questions from members in the audience.

Key topics during the visit were the new changes to the enlisted evaluation system as well as enlisted professional military education.

Cody also stressed the importance of good feedback and how it can build strengths and develop young Airmen into effective leaders.

"We have the opportunity to improve with feedback," Cody said. "What we learn, we use to improve ourselves. It's not about handing an Airman a piece of paper; it's about having a meaningful conversation. That is the most important aspect of feedback."

Cody also visited the sexual harassment/assault response office, where he discussed the future of the program with current SHARP leadership as well as Soto Cano AB victim advocates.

The discussion covered several topics including the means to provide support for the different military services assigned to the base, and the training required to fill the specific positions of victim advocates and sexual assault response coordinators.

"We must maintain a continued presence and dialogue to encourage confidence in victims of sexual assault," Cody said. "We must admit that there is a significant issue with sexual assault in the military. Keeping open communication will build the programs we have in place and make them better."

Throughout the tour, Cody offered valuable advice to Airmen making their way through different parts of their military career. Through two all calls, individual conversations with Airmen and visiting individual sections, he shared his senior leader perspective and encouragement to the fullest extent.