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380AEW Article

AFCENT command chief visits the 380th AEW Airmen

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Joshua J. Garcia
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Shelina Frey, United States Air Forces Central Command, command chief master sergeant, visited the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing from Oct. 23 to Oct. 25, 2013.

During the base visit, she visited work areas, had lunch with Airmen and communicated U.S. Air Forces Central Command Commander Lt. Gen. John Hesterman's priority of "protect and take care of each other."

"Together we are dynamic; together we are amazing," said Frey. "When one Airman falls weak it distracts us from our mission."

When the oath is taken leaders are responsible to provide an environment for Airmen to safely carryout that oath; our enemy should not be anyone who wears a uniform that says United States Air Force, said Frey. Airmen have the right to serve their country and live up to the oath they swore.

As the AFCENT command chief, she has the ability to visit every base within the area of responsibility, said Frey. She is amazed at the capability of the Airmen.

"If you tell an Airman what you need them to do, and you step back and [watch], they will do amazing things," said Frey. "Then you let them own their successes."

Frey acknowledged Airmen will fail at some of their given tasks, but suggests not blaming solely the Airmen. She said as leaders, supervisors should shoulder the failure as their own with their Airmen, and work together to find a solution to accomplish the task.
With supervisors taking care of their Airmen and leading them throughout their careers, Frey said it will allow the Airmen to take ownership of their assignments.

"We have young Airmen that are responsible for trillions of dollars' worth of assets," said Frey. "If you go out to an aircraft and talk to a maintainer, he will put his hand on the aircraft and say 'this is mine.'"

Frey went on to stress all Airmen should have self-respect.

Some Airmen are having a hard time making the transition from high school where certain things were funny, you could dress a certain way and you could act out to an extent, said Frey. Upon joining the United States Air Force, Airmen are considered to be professional. They will be relied upon, and sometimes it requires a change in the person's actions, dress or appearance.

"We don't want you to lose who you are, because that's what makes the Air Force so great," added Frey. "What we want you to do is take that maturity to the next level. You are an adult now."

"It's important that we take care of each other," said Frey. "In taking care of each other, it starts with respecting ourselves."

Frey offered a simple recommendation for Airmen to follow in regards to protecting and taking care of each other: treat each other like family.

"I want us to respect each other as family. Would you hurt your family member? Would you want to be hurt by your family member?" asked Frey.

Treating each other like family would allow Airmen not to be afraid to talk about whatever situation they may be in, said Frey.

The command chief said when she goes to workplaces and social areas around the base and sees military members treating each other like family by joking with one another and working together, it brings a smile to her face.

Frey also addressed sexual assault and sexual harassment within the Air Force. She said preventing these two issues are a top priority for leadership, and Airmen need to watch after each other to prevent these types of incidents from happening. She warns Airmen of predators who wait to strike when least expected.

"I know sometimes we talk about [sexual assault and harassment] and the Airmen sink in their seat, because we get tired of talking about it," said Frey. "I would ask Airmen not to get tired, because anybody who is a perpetrator will bank on us getting tired of talking about these subjects. Then they will go out and do something under our nose, and we will wake up in the morning and wonder what just happened. We need to keep our eye on the ball."

Frey continued to say we need to protect our Airmen and make sure every day they have the ability to serve the country.

Frey said she doesn't believe there is a specific program needed to teach Airmen how to take care of each other.

"It's all about respect for self and then respect for others. If you give your heart and give yourself, we don't need a program. We will get rid of all this sexual assault and sexual harassment. If we keep [giving respect] I believe we will get there," she said.