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USAFCENT Command Chief visits Bagram Airfield

  • Published
  • By Richard Williams
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  The 455th Air Expeditionary Wing welcomed the newest U.S. Air Force Central Command Chief for his immersion tour of Afghanistan operations Dec. 28-30, 2009.

Command Chief Master Sgt. Mark Villella, who replaced Chief Master Sgt. Scott Dearduff Dec. 9, 2009, came to Bagram to gain perspective on the mission and understand how USAFCENT can improve in theatre operations.

The job of a command chief master sergeant is one of observation, evaluation and understanding the enlisted force and what it takes to accomplish the mission in the most seamless manner possible and ensure that the tools are in place to make this happen, said Chief Villella.

Chief Villella's first impression of the Airmen assigned to USAFCENT is one of amazement.

"The Airmen are awesome with a capital 'A'. It is both officer and enlisted; I have seen great motivation and great work being done by all."

Upon arriving at Bagram, Chief Villella said it was like landing on an ant hill because of the constant movement of personnel and cargo moving in and out of the area. "Bagram is a hub for everything that comes in and out of Afghanistan. We are breaking cargo movement records monthly and moving troops in and out seamlessly and that is a direct reflection of the hard work and dedication of our people."

Communication also plays a vital role in mission success said Chief Villella. "We must have communication to make sure everything moves the way it is supposed to."

Chief Villella's view is that we need to listen from the top of the chain as well as the bottom. "It is important to listen to your Airmen. If the most junior ranking has an idea to streamline or improve a process we should listen."

The key is not only to listen to Airmen on mission-related issues, but also to get to know the Airmen.

Chief Villella challenged the first level supervisors to lead, follow, inspire and care about the Airmen assigned to them.

"It is critical for first line supervisors get to know the people who work for them because they are responsible for those individuals on and off duty," he said. "We are in a hostile environment with a loaded weapon and here is the last place that we need to have issues."

Chief Villella said one of most important things is for first supervisors to allow their Airmen to grow, not just as Airmen but as servicemembers.

"There are a variety of opportunities here to help Airmen learn about their sister services, grow as individuals and to share the Air Force mission with others as well," he said. "You may volunteer at the hospital to help a comrade-in-arms who needs assistance and understand what we all go through whether you are inside or outside the wire."
One team, one fight is a concept that Chief Villella believes in and thinks is imperative to the ongoing mission.

"The bottom line is that I want our Airmen to give a 110 percent effort to the mission and understand that we are all vital links in the chain that gets that mission accomplished," he said. "There are many Airmen that do not get the credit they deserve; dining facility
Airman who feeds the pilot who flies the mission to protect the soldiers on the ground who are comfortable because the civil engineer built them a tent. We all make a difference. "

Chief Villella gives one vital piece of advice that was shared with him, "Don't count the days, make the days count!"