Last fall, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force announced three areas he considers foundational to the U.S. Air Force: Revitalizing the Squadrons, Developing Joint Leaders and Teams, and Multi-Domain Command and Control.
Gen. Dave Goldfein’s intent is to focus on these areas over the next three to four years to ensure the Air Force is set up to be able to do the work and missions needed as an air component for the joint team, the nation and its allies.
Revitalizing the Squadrons will be the general’s primary focus during his first year as CSAF.
To that end, the team he appointed to review this issue is traveling to more than 20 bases over the next six months to obtain feedback on actions the Air Force could implement to improve readiness, effectiveness and morale.
The team will visit Tinker Air Force Base April 10-11. This team, led by Brig. Gen. Stephen Davis, director of manpower, organization and resources, and deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services at the Pentagon, is conducting interviews, leading focus groups and facilitating large-group working sessions.
On April 11, the team is holding a large-group working session from 6-8:30 p.m. in the Bldg. 9001 Assembly Room to offer Airmen, who were not able to attend other sessions, and spouses an opportunity to contribute their ideas. Participants should enter through the main entrance at the flag pole.
This session will be focused on finding solutions related to topics of interest to Airmen, spouses, and families, such as high operations tempo, work-life balance, and support for families. Facilitators will run the session to ensure everyone in attendance has a chance to provide their ideas.
The base visits, the general said, are intended to receive valuable feedback from peers and peer groups to identify best practices, remove red tape, empower leaders and better prepare squadron leadership teams.
Airmen and spouses interested in attending the large-group session should contact Master Sgt. Denisse Portunato at 582-6800, or denisse.portunato@us.af.mil. Registrants will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
“The squadron is the beating heart of the United States Air Force,” General Goldfein said. “I believe it is at squadron level where we succeed or fail as an Air Force…It’s where Airmen are developed. It’s where Airmen and families thrive. It’s where training and innovation occurs. And, I believe it’s where we make the most difference as leaders.”
The CSAF said squadrons are the most essential level of command. The squadrons are where readiness is generated and sustained, where Airmen and families thrive, and where the missions of the Air Force will succeed, he said.
To revitalize the squadrons, the general said, it’s imperative the Air Force: Identify and disseminate best practices; Identify and remove unnecessary impediments; Place authority and responsibility at the right level and; Review preparation and support for squadron leadership teams.
Air Force squadrons are highly effective in accomplishing their missions and they drive the best Air Force in the world – this effort will make us even better, he said.
The general said revitalizing the squadrons requires an Air Force-wide review – driven by Airmen in the field – to promote best practices and identify improvements.
Between February and August 2017, the interview teams will visit all MAJCOM Headquarters bases and a base of the MAJCOM’s choice, for a total of 23 bases in all.
MAJCOM nominated Airmen of all ranks and grades to participate in the peer interviews during the base visits. Those conducting the interviews received specialized training prior to conducting the one-on-one interviews and meeting with focus groups.
Each base visit will consist of one-on-one interviews, focus groups and large group sessions up to 100 personnel. Most participants were randomly selected by Air Force Materiel Command to attend, but open sessions will also be advertised to allow other Airmen and family members to provide constructive inputs.
Participants will be interviewed by someone in their peer group, i.e. Airmen will be interviewed by a senior airman. The target populations are airmen, noncommissioned officers, senior NCOs, company grade officers, field grade officers, civilians of all ranks, commanders, superintendents and first sergeants.
The point of contact for the Tinker AFB visit is Dan Bostwick, Air Force Sustainment Center operations and support.
“This visit is exciting and we expect only good things to come from it,” Mr. Bostwick said. “The people of Tinker AFB have been given a chance to help shape the Air Force of the future.”