Cody engages with deployed Airmen

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Rau
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody engaged with Airmen deployed to Afghanistan in support of the NATO Resolute Support mission and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel from April 4-6 through a series of Q&A format all calls, small group discussions and personal site visits.

“What you are doing is the most important job in the Air Force,” Cody said to the deployed Airmen. “You are the best choice for your job in the Air Force at this critical time.”

Cody made stops at Bagram Airfield, Resolute Support Headquarters in Kabul, Hamid Karzai International Airport and Kandahar Airfield, where he was able to see firsthand the impact Airmen are making every day in Afghanistan.

“Everybody here is working really hard; I can see that,” he said. “This is a dangerous place and I thank you for coming here and making the sacrifice.”

Airmen in Afghanistan are accomplishing critical roles as they perform launch and recovery of aircraft for counter-terrorism missions, find and process detailed intelligence information for combatant commanders, or train, advise and assist the Afghan military.

“Your work you are doing here is meaningful and purposeful,” Cody said. “You are here, doing this job, and you are saving lives.”

During the all calls and discussions, the chief candidly and honestly answered a variety of questions ranging from the new Enlisted Evaluation System to health care and compensation. He also received mission briefings from each of the units involved and had an opportunity to see Airmen display the weapon systems they operate. Throughout his interactions, he reminded Airmen of one thing.

“You are doing great things out here and I am proud of you,” Cody said. “Don’t lose sight of what you accomplished out here.”