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Past Air Force and Tinker leaders discuss military future, advice for further success

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. O'Brien
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Several former Air Force and Tinker leaders recently reminisced about their career highlights and shared personal insight to creating a successful future. The men spoke at the 2011 Air Force Association and Logistic Officers Association Air Force Leadership: Past, Present and Future luncheon. Approximately 80 people attended the Nov. 17 event, held in the Tinker Club ballroom.

Four of the five leaders sat in the front of the room at a long table and discussed their thoughts in a panel forum. The fifth asked a single overhead question and moderated the event. Maj. Gen. Bruce Litchfield, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center commander, also offered remarks.

"Our Air Force was founded on great leaders that got us where we are today. Regardless of what happens with the budget, when it's all said and done, we're going to have the best Air Force in the world," said General Litchfield. "The people of the future who are going to take us through the transition are in this room today, and what you need to do is start filling your databank with all the experiences that we gained from the past, so when you face those tough decisions and challenges, you'll be prepared from the experience of folks that have brought us this far."

Retired Brig. Gen. Ben Robinson, former 552nd Air Control Wing commander, kicked off the discussion by asking the panelists, based on their past experiences, how they suggest the military weather today's challenges and future issues.

Retired Maj. Gen. Bill Bowden, former OC-ALC commander, said have faith in the people of the air logistics center. In his time, the workforce faced and battled tough situations, including a potential base realignment and closure, and persevered.

Mr. Bob Conner, former OC-ALC director, said embrace change, and believe in your people. Change is inevitable, but people are a constant. Whether the challenge is the budget deficit or BRAC, the workforce will come out on top.

"My advice is, keep your eye on the mission of the Air Force, values, integrity, service and excellence," Mr. Conner said. "I really believe our people and the value system we have in the Air Force and our mission will see us through."

Former Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force No. 15, retired Chief Master Sgt. Rod McKinley, agreed with General Bowden and Mr. Conner, adding Airmen who live by the core values, strive to be their best and give their best effort will be the nation's top defense and be retained after draw-downs and budget cuts.

"The things that will endure to get us through the rough times in the future are the very basic things about wearing this uniform," Chief McKinley said. "When you get up in the morning and put that uniform on, look at the person you see in the mirror. When you go to work, are you going to live by the Air Force core values? Are you going to do the job the very best you can, the very first time? Are you going to keep up with military heritage, customs, courtesies and standards? That's how we're going to survive."

Retired Maj. Gen. Jay Edwards, former OC-ALC commander, said to bring leadership to the foreground. There are two types of leadership styles - combat, which is better in a battle environment, and relationship, which perseveres in peacetime. Regardless of which kind is used, leaders should get to know their people.

"It seems to me that in order to be a leader, you really have to have good communication, an openness and an understanding of people," General Edwards said. "If you don't have an openness to understand people you're working with or for, you're going to be unhappy and won't get anything successful done. Effectiveness is really what the Air Force is looking for with the people that we have."

General Robinson said today's Airmen are already further along than the military members were when he first joined. Relating experiences from when he returned from the Vietnam War and was unwelcomed by fellow Americans, he said those days have changed; it can only get better.

"What you see today is totally is different from the Vietnam War era," he said. "Today is the day the military and Air Force is held in such high esteem across the nation. Today is the day we need to get out into the school systems and talk about our service ... if we want to keep harvesting the best and brightest, we need to get out there and tell them our story."