That's why

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Kevin Simmons
  • 43rd Electronic Combat Squadron commander
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFPN) --  “Excuse me, sir, excuse me.”

At first I did not hear her. She was tiny, about 7 years old and was speaking very softly in a very loud and crowded family pizza and entertainment place where I had brought my sons after work.

Only her slight tugging on the sleeve of my flight suit made me realize she was even there. I also had a lot on my mind.

Seven weeks earlier I had moved my family (again).

A week after that, I assumed command of one of the Air Force’s “low-density/high-demand” units, the mighty 43rd Electronic Combat Squadron.  Known as the “Bats,” 43rd ECS aircrews fly the EC-130H Compass Call. The EC-130H is an airborne electronic warfare aircraft that prevents successful enemy command and control communications and limits adversary coordination essential for enemy force management.

The 43rd ECS has been deployed supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom continuously for 16 months. Every day for the past six weeks I found myself running a mental marathon to make sure I was making the right decisions to lead this squadron, and this day was no different.

To keep my thoughts and actions focused, I turned to a tool learned in my 17 years of education and experience as an Airman -- conduct mission analysis.

By using the same “who, what, when, where and why” approach I had used in past leadership situations, I felt confident that I would handle this leadership challenge.

It was easy to answer part of the “who” question. I knew who I was. I would continue being myself, knowing that if I kept with our core values of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do, I would (hopefully) be an effective leader. However, because I was new to Compass Call, I only knew a few individuals.

To complete the "who" question, for six weeks I had engaged our Airmen in conversation; reviewed their records; learned about their personalities and reputations; held commander’s, officer and enlisted calls; called them at home; intruded into their lives to understand their joys and concerns and met with their spouses to learn who I was leading.

The “what” in this mission analysis turned out to be a little more difficult. Once I read what the standing mission statement was and reviewed what we were currently tasked with, I found myself delving into Air Force Instructions and policy letters to understand the guidance I was being held accountable for, while signing Air Force forms I did not even know existed to make sure we were doing what was expected of us in other areas.
Most importantly, I trusted squadron people to complete tasks they had been entrusted with. Together, we had not lost sight of what was our main effort -- support combat operations.

I realized that you never know when you are going to be called upon to serve in a leadership situation. I had about four months from the time I was told until I was on a stage 1,700 miles from my last duty station taking the guidon from the group commander.

During that time, I spent a lot of time reading and talking to others. I also spent time running and reflecting. My mission analysis reaffirmed you have to be prepared mentally, physically and emotionally for the rigors of leadership because you never know when your time is coming, only that it will.

Orders to Arizona answered part of the “where” question. I visited the dorms, toured base housing and drove through neighborhoods where some of our Airmen lived so I could better understand their lifestyles.

However, we are Airmen with a global commitment; we do not always get to choose where our battles will be fought or where the needs of the Air Force will send us. As a squadron, we discussed operations at our current forward-operating location and continued to look beyond the front gates to make sure we are prepared to go where our nation needs us next.

Finally, I had to answer the “why” in my mission analysis.

“Excuse me, sir, excuse me,” she said.

“I am sorry, am I in your way?” I asked when I finally realized she was trying to get my attention.

“No, sir,” she said. “I just wanted to thank you for keeping us safe.”

Then in an instant, she disappeared into a crowded room of kids, pizza and arcade games. In that instant, I was reminded “That’s why … ”

God bless America.