Cody visits Incirlik Airmen

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Eboni Reams
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey (AFNS) --  Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody visited Airmen and answered questions concerning the future of the force, focus changes and important issues June 17-18, here.

Cody and his wife retired Chief Master Sgt. Athena Cody attended multiple events to hear about different challenges and successes of the Airmen and families of Incirlik Air Base.

"I want to spend the majority of the time doing what is most important during these visits, hearing what is on your mind," said Cody during an all call June 17. "It's really important that we understand how everything is impacting you and your families. There's a different impact everywhere you go."

The crowd laughed when Cody mentioned his previous tour and the birth of his child at Incirlik during his introduction.

"My daughter was born here when the hospital was actually a hospital," Cody said, referring to the 39th Medical Group that is now a clinic.

Cody held an hour-long Q-and-A session, as well as one-on-one time with Airmen, answering questions on Airmen's interests. Cody also answered a question on why the time frame windows for enlisted professional military education academies have changed.

"Everybody in the outside world gets all of their education upfront, and then go into the work force and try to employ that education," Cody said. "In most surveys from Senior NCO Academy, Airmen always say 'I wish I had this sooner', so we're moving (EPME) to the left. We're still going to run those schools to capacity. There's real value in bringing enlisted leaders together."

Cody also discussed benefits, training and other Airmen's concerns. He also emphasized the importance of staying focused on the mission and expressed gratitude to the Airmen for all of their hard work.

"I appreciate the exchange and the dialogue," Cody said. "The real reason we're here is to say thank you. The Air Force legacy you're carrying forward and creating is more globally engaged today than in the history of our country."