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Show Hilltop HILLTOP TIMES AF Chief of Staff: Refocuses on mission TI ME S February 19, 2015 By STAFF SGT. TORRI INGALSBE Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Command Information 0 RLANDO, Fla. — Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III shared his thoughts on where the Air Force is, where it's going and how it's going to get there with an audience of Airmen, industry representatives and Air Force supporters during his speech at the Air Force Association's annual Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition Feb. 12, in Orlando, Florida. "One of the great things about this job is I get to spend a lot of time talking to Airmen," Welsh said. "There've been lots of distractions — it is an unending stream of things that have kind of grabbed our consciousness and, while we continue to fight the fight really well while we're deployed, and the folks who support it from home station focus all day long on fighting do fantastic work, as soon as you step away from that environment, or you `redeploy,' the conversations turn to this stuff." Welsh said the questions he gets the most from Airmen revolve around things like sequestration, compensation packages and health care. His call to the Air Force is to refocus on the primary mission of the Air Force. "We need to refocus on the things that really matter to us as members of this service and this profession," he said. "I think we have to start with a refocus on our mission — and our primary job which is to fight and win the nation's wars. All that other discussion will still happen — we'll still include our Airmen in it — but that shouldn't be the focus of every conversation we have." The operations, both around the world and in the U.S., should remain the primary focus for the Airmen who perform and support those operations, Welsh explained. Having a distracted military can lead to serious problems if it continues over time. "We've also been refocusing on our core values," he said. "We've kind of been reminded that if these three simple words with elegant meaning (integrity, service, excellence), if they're really going to be foundational values for our service then they have to be cared for and sustained. They have to be embraced; they have to be discussed over and over and over." Welsh talked about the importance of not only being a professional, but also being a member of the profession of arms — being an Airman first. "This is a different business," he said. "It's an ugly business sometimes, and somebody's got to be good at it — and the people who are, need leaders who care. Everything we teach in terms of those core values, leadership and supervision, has to be in context of the profession of arms." The Air Force is standing up the new Profession of Arms Center of Excellence at Air Education and 'Training Command. This center will ensure the concept and culture of the profession of arms is taught at every level of leadership and supervision. Welsh tied culture to understanding and appreciating the vast area of responsibility (AOR) in which the Air Force operates, by showing the audience a picture of the Earth. "Every centimeter of it is covered by air, and surrounded SCOTT M. ASH/U.S. Air Force Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III delivers his "Air Force Update" to attendees of the Air Force Association's annual Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition Feb. 12, 2015, in Orlando, Fla. One of Welsh's points was that we need to continue on a path of innovation. by space, where you operate," he said. "I don't even want to begin to figure out how to determine how much terrain is in the cyberenvironment that surrounds all of that. This is our AOR." Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel bids farewell to his work force Welsh talked about the decreasing size of the Air Force, and the evolution behind every major shift in priorities throughSee FUTURE I Page 6 President's budget request can restore Reserve manpower RUSS MESEROLL/U.S. Air Force President Barack Obama addresses a crowd of service members and Defense Department civilians. Air Force Reserve Command R NAVY PETTY OFFICER 2ND CLASS SEAN HURT/Department of Defense On Feb. 11, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. DoD News, Defense Media Activity ASHINGTON, D.C. — As he prepared to leave office, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Feb. 13 said farewell to the military and civilian men and women of the Defense Department's workforce in a statement, noting it's been "a tremendous privilege" to serve as the nation's top defense official. Here is Hagel's statement: "To the men and women of the Department of Defense: "When I joined the United States Army 48 years ago, I could not have imagined one day serving as secretary of defense. It has been a tremendous privilege to serve with you. "As I leave office, I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together over the past two years. "We have responsibly ended our combat operations in Afghanistan and begun the follow-on mission to preserve our achievements there. "We have bolstered enduring alliances and strengthened emerging partnerships, while successfully responding to crises around the world. "We have launched vital reforms that will prepare this institution for the challenges of the future. "We have fought hard — and made real progress — against the scourge of sexual assault in our ranks. "And after 13 years of war, we have worked to restore our military readiness and ease the burdens on our people and their families. "Through it all, many of you, and your families, coped with shutdowns and furloughs; weathered hiring and pay freezes; and endured long hours and longer deployments. You did so because we each took an oath to defend our nation, our fellow citizens, and our way of life. And you have lived up to your word. "But as you know well, the world is still too dangerous, and threats too numerous. I know you will remain vigilant, continuing your important work under the leadership of Ash Carter. "A special note to our men and women in uniform: Of all the many opportunities my life has given me, I am most proud of having once been a soldier. The lessons from my time in uniform about trust, responsibility, duty, judgment and loyalty — I have carried these with me throughout my life. As your secretary of defense, I have seen those same traits in each of you. "Whether you serve in uniform or as a civilian, you are the reason why our military is the finest in the world and the most admired and most trusted institution in America. Nothing has clarified my thinking, nothing has renewed my hope, and nothing has made me prouder than getting to know, work, and serve with so many of you who have put the nation's interest above your own. "If I had any parting guidance, it would be the same reminder that my drill sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class William Joyce, gave to me after I finished basic training in 1967: 'People depend on you. They'll always depend on you.' "That was true for me then, and it is true for all of you today. People depend on you — America depends on you — to live up to your oath, to conduct yourselves in keeping with our highest standards, and to perform as the greatest military the world has ever known. After two years serving with you, I am confident you will continue to do so. "You and your families have my deepest gratitude and admiration. "Thank you for your unflagging service and your commitment to this country. May God bless America and each and every one of you." The previous day, Ash Carter, a former deputy defense secretary, received a 93-5 affirmative vote by the U.S. Senate to succeed Hagel as defense secretary. Hagel was sworn in as the 24th Secretary of Defense on Feb. 27, 2013. Carter was sworn in Feb. 17, 2015 OBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. — The Department of Defense budget request for fiscal year 2016 includes a number of proposed changes for the Air Force Reserve. If enacted into law, the DOD budget request would restore 2,100 manpower positions to the Air Force Reserve and increase the Air Force Reserve's presence in a number of mission areas. "The budget request ensures the Air Force Reserve will remain an integrated, flexible and combat-ready force," said Lt. Gen. James F. Jackson, Chief of the Air Force Reserve and commander of Air Force Reserve Command. "The additional manpower will allow the Air Force Reserve to support Air Force requirements in new and existing missions in the F-35, F-16, C-17, ISR and Cyber." Jackson also noted that the Air Force Reserve is still addressing some of the previously announced force structure changes. "The Air Force, in conjunction with the recommendations of the National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force, will finalize its mission area and force composition analysis in the coming months," he said. "Decisions on Reserve basing of C-130s at Pope Field, Keesler Air Force Base, and Little Rock Air Force Base are delayed until the Air Force meets the requirements established by Congress in the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act." Jackson also explained that if the Air Force divests A-10s at Moody AFB, Georgia, the Air Force Reserve's classic associate unit, the 476th Fighter Group, will inactivate in 2016. "Our A-10 units at Whiteman AFB and Davis-Monthan AFB will continue to fly the A-10 until 2019, when they will transition to F-16s," he said. "There are also opportunities with the F-35 at Luke AFB and Hill AFB." According to Jackson, the 610th Security Forces Squadron at Naval Air Station JRB Fort Worth, Texas, will be inactivated. "The vast majority of our people serve locally on a part-time basis, and force structure changes pose significant challenges for Reservists," said Jackson. "I will ensure that Reserve leaders at every level are doing everything they can to help Reservists through the transition." |