BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --
U.S. Air
Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, spent a portion of his
visit to the Air Forces Central Command area of responsibility engaging with airmen,
NCOs and officers during an Airman’s Call here Dec. 15.
During
the visit, which included the chief of staff’s wife, Betty, Welsh spoke with
Airmen, listened to their stories of service, updated them on pressing issues
facing the Air Force, and thanked them for their service.
“I’m here for no other reason than to say thank you,” Welsh
said. “Thank you for being as good as you are at what you do, and thank you for
taking it seriously.”
Welsh
expressed how every Airman, regardless of rank, plays a vital role in
accomplishing the Air Force mission.
“Never forget how critical you are to this organization,
this wing, this Air Force, this joint military force, and this coalition,”
Welsh said. “Don’t forget it until you’re the chief master sergeant of the Air
Force or the chief of staff of the Air Force for that matter. You can do
anything you want. Just remember how important you are and remember how
important the Airmen sitting around you are.”
The general also expressed how crucial it is to remain focused
on the mission and maintain the pride of service that breeds success.
“There are always distractions going on,” Welsh said. “Things
that divert your focus if you let them and as a result, we lose a bit of that
pride. I want you guys to focus on the job, get the mission done, make sure
we’re getting better at fighting the fight, and allow me to worry about things
like sequestration and force shaping. Just stay sharp and maintain your pride.”
The
all-call included a Q-and-A session with the general fielding questions from
Airmen about what was on their minds. Welsh also emphasized the importance of
opening the lines of communication between leader and subordinate to facilitate
the trust and dedication that keeps the force strong.
“There
are Airmen getting frustrated about things before having all the facts,” Welsh
said, using the brief suspension of tuition assistance as an example. "The
leaders who should've been getting answers and information for their Airmen and
passing along the facts weren't doing it.”
"We
will fail if that's how we communicate," he continued. "I expect
better from you; I expect better from me. We have to work this one together and
I’m open to any suggestions you may have.”
Wrapping
up his remarks, the chief of staff reminded Airmen never to forget why they
wear the uniform and serve.
“Wearing
this uniform is different,” Welsh said. “We’re not like other people. I’ve
known you all for about an hour now, but I’d die for you. And I’m just naïve
enough to believe you’d do the same for me. That’s why you’re here. That’s why
we stand beside each other, hold each other up, pick each other up off the
battlefield; that’s why we serve and that’s why we love it.”