AFCENT Shaw welcomes new Assistant Deputy Commander

Published March 21, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Katherine Holt
U.S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- After a year deployed as the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing and Kandahar Airfield commander and a multitude of other leadership assignments, Brig. Gen. John L. Dolan arrived here to take on the role of Assistant Deputy Commander of U.S. Air Forces Central Command.

Dolan says his past deployed experiences in Iraq, Afghanistan and Korea made for an easy transition into his new leadership role at AFCENT Shaw.

"Every issue I work here, I am familiar with," he said. "After my experiences in Balad and Kandahar, it was easier to take this position rather than coming in cold without any experience."

Other than being excited about his new assignment, Dolan set a few personal goals for his time at AFCENT Shaw.

"I wanted to make sure we continue to take care of our Airmen," said Dolan. "Every day our deployed folks make life or death decisions. Our team here has to always remember to have a sense of urgency--we need to provide Airmen with the people and resources they need to execute Lt. Gen. [John] Hesterman's mission."

Additionally, Dolan works to help bring the success stories back to the team at Shaw.

"When they are doing the job right, most times no one says anything," he said. "I want to tell the 'no news is good news' story."

Even with his wide-range of expertise, challenges are still presented as the mission draws down in Afghanistan.

"This is a challenging environment," said Dolan. "We have to constantly stay in the fight while Airmen are deployed. This is a year of change, and we must stay plugged in and informed."

Facing the challenges is what he says AFCENT Shaw is set-up to do. AFCENT Shaw focuses on long-range plans and provides continuity to U.S. Central Command.

"We provide the heavy lifting to make sure that when our deployed counterparts open their toolboxes every morning, they have the right set of tools to get the job done," said Dolan. "We are 1,100 strong here and equipped with a civilian workforce giving us a stability of operations for AFCENT. We provide General Hesterman with a lot of experience and less turn over so he can concentrate on the day-to-day mission."

Dolan says AFCENT Shaw is equipped with the total force team required to accomplish the mission.

"Working alongside our active duty, reserve and guard members is our incredible civilian workforce," he said. "Most of the civilians here were previously active duty and have now dedicated their civilian life to the same area of expertise and service. Without them, we couldn't get it done. They deserve a lot of credit."

When visiting deployed Airmen in foreign lands, Dolan is able to see firsthand the great things they accomplish on a daily basis. He says it isn't hard to keep them motivated.

"Our Airmen are incredible and they love what they do," said Dolan. "It's hard to find an Airman who doesn't. I have found that as long as we give Airmen the resources they need to get the job done, they will give you the shirt off their backs. When we provide even our junior Airmen with the responsibility and the opportunity to excel, their ideas will begin to flow and the possibilities for success are endless."

Dolan was recently nominated for the rank of Major General and says there were many people who influenced him as a leader throughout his career.

"As a lieutenant, a master sergeant taught me to appreciate and not take for granted the hard work others were providing on the flightline," he said. "From previous commanders to Airmen, I have learned a lot. I am most appreciative of senior enlisted members who had the courage to talk one on one with me and give my rudder a steer from time to time."

For company grade officers and young noncommissioned officers, Dolan provided a little insight to being a successful leader.

"Grow where you are planted," he said. "Don't try to outdo the system or keep score. Go to work thinking about taking care of your Airmen. If you lose your humility you can expect to feel frustration, have poor work performance and develop the desire to change jobs."