AFCENT enlisted leader says deployed Airmen set 'excellence' as standard

Published Jan. 27, 2010
By Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- If you ask Chief Master Sgt. Mark Villella, command chief master sergeant for Air Forces Central Command, about how high the bar is set by Airmen in the deployed theater, his answer is simple -- "excellence is the standard."

Chief Villella pointed out that fact and more as he visited with the Airmen of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing earlier in January at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia. In his visit, the chief saw up close the many roles Airmen complete every day in its mission to support operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. "What I've learned is you have a diverse mission," he said.

The 380th AEW is comprised of four groups, and 12 squadrons. The wing's mission includes air refueling, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. Chief Villella saw the capabilities of the KC-10 Extender the wing uses for combat air refueling sorties and learned more about the U-2 Dragonlady that specializes in the ISR missions. He also met with and learned more about what he termed the wing's most important resource - its people.

"I met a lot of great people," Chief Villella said. "When you talk to our Airmen, you get to hear every story and you find out little nuggets of information about them you would never know otherwise. We have great people as Airmen."

Throughout his visits to areas in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, the chief said he has seen Airmen stepping up and meeting challenges across the board. He noted, as an example, how Airmen at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, are working hard to make the "surge" of an additional 30,000 troops there this year a smooth success, and how they are setting records in managing "through-put" of people and cargo every day.

"There's a build-up going on and there's more coming in," Chief Villella said. "They told me, 'Hey we've doubled our through-put this last month.' What ends up happening is the surge keeps coming and they, our Airmen, just keep performing at a higher level. They're getting it done."

Chief Villella added that Airmen all across AFCENT know what to do when the work piles up and the mission needs to get done.

"Adversity introduces one to themselves," Chief Villella said. "Our Airmen, whether it's in an austere environment or in another area, know that instead of working a 12-hour shift, they might have to work 14- to 15-hour days. They are stepping it up and doing what needs to be done."

As his visit to the 380th AEW came to an end and he headed to a new deployed location to visit, Chief Villella said he always wants Airmen to remember that no matter where they serve from in the deployed environment, they are making a difference.

"Everybody's role is important," Chief Villella said. "It doesn't matter how far you are from the battlefield, you're role is just as important. Sometimes we all need to keep that in perspective."

In his role as the AFCENT command chief, Chief Villella advises the commander and staff on matters influencing the health, welfare, morale and effective utilization of assigned enlisted personnel, his biography shows. Chief Villella grew up in Ortonville, Minn., and entered the Air Force in August 1982. His background includes various levels of responsibility in the tactical air control party career field and an assignment as a command chief master sergeant at the wing level.

As the air component of U.S. Central Command, AFCENT's mission is to develop contingency plans and conduct air operations at seven air expeditionary wings and two advisory and assistance wings in a 20-nation area of responsibility.