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CSAF visits, thanks deployed Airmen

  • Published
  • By TSgt Marie Brown
  • U.S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs
Southwest Asia --  Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and his wife, Betty, visited an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia Dec. 16 to speak with Airmen, listen to their stories, update them on relevant Air Force issues and thank them for their service.

“I am here to say hi, but seriously, the most important reason I am here is to say thank you,” said Welsh during an all-call with Airmen. “The work you have been doing here has been spectacular, the results have been spectacular.”

Using common sense, increasing communication in the chain of command and stressing the importance of getting to know each other were some of the topics discussed during the all call.

“We have to pay attention, this is the most educated, innovative force we have ever had,” said Welsh. “Don’t keep pointing up like this is someone else’s problem. Let common sense drive the way we do business. It works pretty well.”

After speaking, Gen. Welsh opened the floor for questions. One of the questions concerned pay reductions and re-enlistment incentives for first-term and career Airmen.

“Our average pay scale in the Air Force is about at the 90th percentile of the civilian population with the same kind of work,” said Welsh. “All we are talking about with pay now is taking that pay growth and putting it on a sustainable growth path; not cutting it, just slowing the rate of growth so we can maintain it over time.”

Welsh said Airmen need to find what drives them to stay in. None of us are in because we are going to make a lot of money, he added.

During their time here, Gen. and Mrs. Welsh sat down with a few Airmen and listened as each one went through their Air Force story and how they made it to where they are today.

“If you don’t know their story, then you just can’t lead the Airman; it’s truly that simple when it comes to people,” said Welsh. “The better we know each other, the better care we will take of each other and the more you will recognize when your Airman is having a bad day.”

Welsh left with a great perspective of what motivates the Airmen assigned here.

“You have no idea how impressive you are, how incredible proficient you are at what you do and how indomitable you are when you put your mind on a task,” said Welsh. “This Air Force is undefeatable as long as we keep that pride.”