CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
As the holiday season approaches, we must remain focused on the following top Air Force priorities that directly impact Team Charleston:
Partner with the joint and coalition team to win today's fight. We must be responsive to warfighter needs. We must proactively adapt to the changing air, space, cyberspace and global battlefield requirements and provide the most timely and accurate support. Right now, more than 33,000 Airmen are deployed across the globe, nearly 28,000 in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, where U.S. aircraft are operating out of 11 bases and Airmen are operating out of 63 bases. We must remain exceptionally disciplined -- by being exceptionally trained Airmen with a warrior spirit, having a professional attitude with a readiness to the fight while led by the finest officers and NCOs, always being mindful of the mission and our professional growth and taking care of our families. We win today's fight through superior leadership, unwavering discipline, effective communication and second-to-none training.
Leadership is simple; it is all about people. Nothing is more important than leading our people and developing them into leaders. We must invest time in our people and inspire them to achieve what they think is unreachable. We must motivate and develop them to be capable of leading and dealing with uncertainties confidently. We must empower subordinates to reach greater heights.
Discipline is a key component to successful units. Discipline starts through the internalization of the Air Force Core Values. These values embody the ideas of our nation and the expectations of the American people. Exceptional Airmen do what's right the first time and always remain attentive to the fact that their character and behavior have implications beyond themselves.
Professionals communicate with discipline. Keys to communication are openness, honesty, dignity, consideration and respect for others. Answer telephone calls with your rank and name, speak clearly, deliberately and with purpose and, when calling, always identify yourself to those who answer. Although these procedures are fundamental, they are frequently overlooked.
Training must be tough, relevant and timely. Our mission depends on Airmen being confident, competent and exceptionally prepared -- ready at all times for the fight.
Develop and care for Airmen and their families. Airmen are the foundation of Team Charleston, and taking care of them is instrumental to mission readiness. Leaders ensure that basic needs of Airmen are taken into account. Tough training and technical preparedness, upgrade training, physical fitness, professional military education, professional development and creating an environment that allows all Airmen to seek their full potential and professional growth are vital aspects of taking care of Airmen. We must be willing to invest time to ensure our inbound Airmen's personal needs are satisfied to expedite integration into training and operations. We must troubleshoot our Airmen's problems with family readiness programs, medical and dental care, finances and childcare. We must guide and advise so our Airmen can focus on any mission, anytime, anywhere and can effectively prepare for upcoming deployments.
Currently, more than 750 Team Charleston Airmen are deployed around the world and everyone, from wing leadership to Phoenix Spouses, is engaged to ensure family needs are met.
We'll win today's fight, and we'll take care of our Airmen!
Team Charleston - Take the Fight to the Enemy!