Setting the tone: Wing gets new mission, vision, priorities

Published Oct. 2, 2013
By Master Sgt. Marelise Wood
386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The Commander of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, undisclosed location, Southwest Asia, held a series of commander's calls Sept. 30, 2013, to formally announce the wing's new mission, vision and priorities.

The wing underwent a complete leadership change in late June and early July, naming a new wing commander, vice commander and command chief master sergeant. Since then, the wing has undergone a shift in mindset.

Colonel John Klein, Jr., wing commander, began the brief by letting the attendees know that before the wing can move forward with the planned changes, they first need to know where things stand now.

"This is about you and getting some feedback on the things we've been working on," said Klein. "We're also going to provide guidance on where we think we need to go, but the most important part of this is your feedback to us on where the wing is."

To most successfully achieve accurate feedback, the wing used the power of technology.

Everyone in attendance was encouraged to bring their smart devices to the commander's calls. The commander asked a list of pointed multiple choice questions aimed at determining the wing's level of connection with the new mission, vision and priorities. The attendees were then directed to a polling website that captured their answers anonymously and tabulated the responses in real time.

As the commander expected, the results were not all positive, but as he expressed, much needed.

"From a leadership perspective we have some work to do, and that's alright," he said. "You have made great strides even before clear guidance, but we owe you guidance."

The guidance came in the form of the new mission, vision and priorities.

Mission: Marauders project Airpower from the ground up to promote regional security, enhance strategic access, and strengthen enduring partnerships.

Vision: AFCENT's Premier Air Expeditionary Wing!

Priorities:
Mission Readiness-- Preparedness across the spectrum of military operations.
Relationship--Strong enduring relationships within and between organizations.
Development--Empowered leaders at all levels striving to improve themselves and the base.
Marauder Pride--Forge a sense of identity, excellence and ownership.

Klein stressed that in order for the wing to succeed, the connection needs to be made among all three elements.

"So there's the mission, and that answers the question of why do we exist, what's our purpose, why are we here," said Klein. "The vision is where we want to be, what we aspire to be. To get from where we are to where we need to be, there has to be roads and those will be our focus areas, our priorities."

As the leadership team moves forward the wing can expect more changes to align with the announced guidance and the feedback suggested that the wing understands the importance of those changes. But in the event that anyone was still unclear, Klein used his closing to emphasize it.

"My number one responsibility is to ensure mission accomplishment for this wing," said Klein. "You're the wing so I need to make sure you accomplish the mission. Just like I'm responsible to my commander, I have commanders who are responsible to me and you are responsible to them. The thing we all share is the mission; that's why we're here. I serve you best by ensuring you know why you're here, what your mission is, what your vision is and what our priorities are so we're properly utilizing you. That's why this is important."