455th AEW Commander visits Guardian Angels

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Dave Julazadeh, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, center, speaks with an HH-60 pilot assigned to the 83rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron during an immersion tour at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, July 16, 2015. Julazadeh took part in a training mission with the 83 ERQS to see firsthand how they contribute to the mission in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Joseph Swafford/Released)

455th AEW commander, command chief visit Jalalabad Airfield

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Dave Julazadeh, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, visits with 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, Detachment 1 members at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan, July 20, 2015. Julazadeh and Chief Master Sgt. Matt Grengs, 455th AEW command chief, visited JAF as part of a battlefield circulation tour to see Airmen and get updated on the ongoing mission at the remote airfield. The 62nd ERS, Detachment 1 is a geographically-separated unit of the 451st Air Expeditionary Group at Kandahar Airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Tony Wickman/Released)

Commanders Combat Sortie

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Dave Julazadeh, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, goes over preflight checks in an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft before flying a combat sortie July 7, 2015, at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Julazadeh was flying his first combat sortie as Commander of the 455th AEW. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Joseph Swafford/Released)

Commanders Combat Sortie

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Dave Julazadeh, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, and Airman 1st Class Manuel Jimenez, 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, go over F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft preflight procedures at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, July 7, 2015. Julazadeh was flying his first combat sortie as commander of the 455th AEW. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Joseph Swafford/Released)

Commanders Combat Sortie

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Dave Julazadeh, right, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, and another F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft pilot walk towards their jets at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, July 7, 2015. The F-16 is a multi-role fighter aircraft that is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air and air-to-ground combat. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Joseph Swafford/Released)

455th Air Expeditionary Wing Commander Shares Priorities

Published Aug. 6, 2015
By Brig. Gen. Dave Julazadeh
455th AEW

What an amazing first month in command this has been for me! I’ve spent a large portion of my time out and about with Command Chief Master Sgt. Matt Grengs visiting our Airmen at Bagram, Kandahar and Jalalabad. Without exception, every time we meet you in your workspaces we walk away inspired by your motivation, enthusiasm, loyalty and dedication to accomplish our challenging, complex, and often dangerous mission in service to our Nation.

My immersion with the wing’s leaders, supervisors and Airmen over the last several weeks served multiple purposes: to meet and see you and the conditions in which you operate; to gather feedback on necessary improvements; and to understand better what we do and how we do it. Now that the command chief and I have a greater understanding of where we are today, it’s time to chart the path for the future. While there will be much transition in the coming months as our national and military leaders, in partnership with the Afghan government, determine what missions will endure beyond 2016, I believe these priorities will help keep us focused through those changes and challenges.

I want to introduce to you our new Wing Mission Statement. It succinctly captures our dedication to the mission and the AFCENT Commander’s three key expectations of the 455 AEW: Deliver Airpower on Demand; Provide Extraordinary Role 3 (critical & specialty care capability) Medical Care; and Ensure Safe and Efficient Aerial Port Operations. The mission statement is supported by three pillars, or complementary focus areas: Mission, Airmen, and Community. Under each pillar, I’ve attached our priorities…they are simple, concise, self-explanatory and ensure we remain focused on what matters.

Mission
• Deliver Decisive Airpower
• Provide Persistent Theater ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance)
• Sustain Aerial Port Velocity

Airmen
• Protect Our People
• Embrace AF Core Values
• Maintain Balance

Community
• Execute Role 3 Hospital Capability
• Provide World Class Support
• Improve Quality Of Life

I ask all Vulture Airmen – active-duty, Reserve, Guard, civilian and contractors – to take a few minutes to digest and internalize the Mission, Pillars, and Priorities of the Vulture Nation. If we are doing something that doesn’t support these priorities…please speak up. I seek and value your feedback. The importance of your job in the 455 AEW isn’t dictated by proximity to the flightline, but rather in the spirit and commitment in which you perform your individual duties.

Thank you for answering the call to serve in the World’s Greatest Air Force. And thank you for the sacrifices you and your families make each and every day. I leave you with the words of American labor leader Walter Reuther who said, “There is no greater calling than to serve your fellow men. There is no greater contribution than to help the weak. There is no greater satisfaction than to have done it well.”

Vulture Lead

Vultures Lead the Way!