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AFCENT commander unveils his priorities

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rachelle Elsea
  • Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Lt. Gen. John W. Hesterman, Commander, U.S. Air Forces Central Command, recently published his mission, vision and priorities in a personal letter to Airmen and civilians across a 20-nation area of responsibility covering Central and Southwest Asia.

Hesterman outlined his six priorities, focused on strategic and operational tasks, as well as stressing the need for discipline, professionalism, and taking care of each other. The general laid out his priorities as:

Decisive Airpower -- Deliver full spectrum, coalition airpower in a proactive and responsive manner in support of USCENTCOM campaign plans in Afghanistan and throughout the USCENTCOM area of responsibility

Defend the Region -- Continuously collaborate with our partners to improve and strengthen Integrated Air and Missile Defense capabilities across the region

Defend the Base -- Remain ever vigilant and resilient in defending installation personnel, critical command and control elements, and base infrastructure against traditional and asymmetric threats

Prepare -- Aggressively plan, prepare and present executable options to the Commander while standing ready to lead or support USCENTCOM contingency operations

Discipline And Professionalism -- Flight discipline, maintenance discipline, personal discipline and consummate professionalism are paramount in a combat theater; our fellow warriors rely on us and our missions demand it

Protect and Take Care of Each Other -- From the battlefield to the home front, you have no greater priority than protecting and taking care of your brothers and sisters in arms

Hesterman, who expressed his gratitude to more than 21,000 Airmen under his command, made clear in his letter that AFCENT would be focused on supporting the CENTCOM Commander.

"It is my great honor to return to the region to lead the men and women of United States Air Forces Central Command," said Hesterman. "I am deeply appreciative of your service, your sacrifice and your professionalism in providing crucial and time-sensitive air, space and cyberspace capabilities to the Commander, United States Central Command."

Hesterman stressed the "pivotal" role of airpower in supporting the U.S. Central Command mission as well as the "critical" importance of Airmen, civilians and contractors to AFCENT's success.

"Our ability to provide regionally focused, decisive airpower and executable options will continue to play a pivotal role in United States Central Command missions as we responsibly transition Operation Enduring Freedom while supporting a regionally integrated, secure and stable Afghanistan," said Hesterman. "Defeating extremist organizations, denying terrorists freedom of movement and limiting the reach of terrorism will remain top priorities as we simultaneously strive with our partners to increase our collective capacity. The task at hand is great, the challenges complex and every Airman, Defense Department civilian and contractor remains critical to our enduring success."

Hesterman also stressed the importance of the priorities in recent teleconference with his commanders, elaborating on two new priorities he has added since taking command in July (Discipline and Professionalism and Protect and Take of Each Other).

"The first four priorities rest on the foundation of the last two," he said.

In the letter, the general explained how the priorities are interrelated. "As we continue to deliver decisive airpower, defend the region, defend the base and prepare for contingency operations with precision and professionalism, it is imperative that we look out for one another," he said. "My tolerance for Airmen hurting other Airmen is zero. We are a family, brothers and sisters dedicated to a common purpose."

The letter also defines the command's mission: "United States Air Forces Central Command, in concert with our partners, delivers decisive airpower for United States Central Command, Coalition nations and America. "

Hesterman defined his vision for the command as: "United States Air Forces Central Command will provide tailored and adaptable support to United States Central Command's evolving priorities in the region. We will anticipate and respond to the Commander's emerging requirements and intent. We will fully leverage the unique capabilities that our Air Component brings to the region, while empowering an integrated and fully capable Joint and Coalition team. Finally, we will stand ready, engaged and vigilant to lead, support and ensure the success of USCENTCOM missions."

To view the entire letter click here.