AMC finishes Phoenix Stripe leadership conference

Photo By Scott Sturkol | Mr. John H. Bonapart Jr., from Headquarters Air Mobility Command, talks with participants in the AMC Phoenix Stripe conference about senior civilian leadership, Sept. 16, at the Global Reach Planning Center at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Phoenix Stripe is a “highly-selective, four-star sponsored” professional development conference for mid-grade enlisted and civilian leaders held twice each year at Headquarters Air Mobility Command. It provides attendees with an operational overview of all facets of AMC’s Global Reach mission, a broad analysis of key issues impacting air mobility and critical insight into each attendee’s contribution to the Total Force air mobility team.  

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, IL, UNITED STATES

09.17.2010

Story by Master Sgt. Scott Sturkol                                                                                         

Air Mobility Command

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - Air Mobility Command held a Phoenix Stripe conference Sept. 13-17 offering a select group of non-commissioned officers and mid-grade government civilians a chance to learn additional leadership skills and how they are a part of the overall mission.

According to James Domina, from the AMC Commander's Action Group, Phoenix Stripe is a "highly-selective, four-star sponsored" professional development conference for mid-grade enlisted and civilian leaders held at least once each year at Headquarters Air Mobility Command.

It provides attendees with an operational overview of all facets of AMC's Global Reach mission, a broad analysis of key issues impacting air mobility and critical insight into each attendee's contribution to the Total Force air mobility team. Phoenix Stripe took its current form under the visionary leadership of former AMC Commander, Gen. Charles T. Robertson, Jr., and former AMC Command Chief, Chief Master Sgt. Kenneth F. Van Holbeck, in 1999.

In the September conference, attendees learned the leadership perspectives of many of AMC's top leaders -- including from Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr., AMC commander, Lt. Gen. Rusty Findley, AMC vice commander, and Chief Master Sgt. David E. Spector, AMC command chief. They also heard from U.S. Transportation Command, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and joint service partners from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard.

Staff Sgt. Daneirys "Dee Dee" Liranzo, cybertransport systems craftsman from the 375th Communications Group at Scott AFB and a Phoenix Stripe participant, said she became much better informed about the "big picture" of where she and others fit in with the overall mission.

"This conference has definitely given me different perspectives on how everything fits together," Liranzo said. "I learned how all the major commands work together and about U.S. Transportation Command and how important their mission is to everything we're doing. It's been a great experience."

For Tech. Sgt. Curtis Zeiders, a Phoenix Stripe attendee from the 21st Air Mobility Operations Squadron at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., learning more about AMC and leadership was especially beneficial.

"Phoenix Stripe really provided a much broader vision of Air Mobility Command as a whole," said Zeiders, who is a cyber systems operations craftsman. "Gen. Findley really showed us how AMC fits into the broader scope of operations. Additionally, I learned a lot about leadership. They gave a lot of tools I can use in my career as I go forward."

Tech. Sgt. Scott Horant, a C-5M Super Galaxy flight engineer from the 9th Airlift Squadron at Dover AFB, Del., said he gained more from his Phoenix Stripe attendance than he ever imagined.

"I came to the conference with the expectation of learning more about the structure of AMC and other organizations," Horant said. "However, I learned so much more. I learned about the decision-making of our leaders and what goes into that process. The conference has given me a lot to think about and I definitely have many things to take back with me and share with others."

During the conference, the attendees had two senior enlisted mentors -- Chief Master Sgts. Donald Dufner and Stephanie Cardozo. Both chiefs are from AMC Headquarters. Additionally, each attendee had a "wingman" they had never met before and learned more about them.

"My wingman is from the Air Force Reserve," Liranzo said. "It's a great idea for cross-communication purposes."

Spector, AMC's command chief, said Phoenix Stripe is proven to help those who attend.

"At the end of the conference, Phoenix Stripe attendees are armed with an increased level of understanding of the global mobility mission, some new tools for their leadership tool bag and an appreciation of how they fit into the overall Air Force picture," Spector said. "This proves to be beneficial from the flightline to the frontline...from Airmen who work on jet engines to those who audit travel vouchers...from our civilian supervisors to our medics...our airmen leave with a sense of purpose, sense of belonging and a huge lesson on leadership."

"I think the most important part is they learn how they help accomplish the mission and without them it would not get done," added Domina.

• Date Taken: 09.17.2010
• Date Posted: 09.29.2010 12:10
• Story ID: 57192
• Location: SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, IL, US