CSAF addresses Tuskegee airmen

Photo By Chief Master Sgt. Paul Mann | Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz visits with Navy Cmdr. Tabb Stringer and Master Chief Petty Officer Sheldon McElhiney, both from Electronic Attack Squadron 138, during his visit to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Nov. 18, 2011. Schwartz talked to the “Yellow Jackets” about their mission and how it plays a key role with providing top cover to U.S. forces transitioning from Iraq.  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

11.18.2011

Story by Senior Airman Amber Kelly-Herard 

332d Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA - Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz met with the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing during an all call Nov. 18 to see firsthand how the Tuskegee airmen have relocated while continuing the mission.

"I'm so proud to be here with members of the Red Tail organization," said Schwartz. "Think about what happened here coming from Joint Base Balad and then to be relocated to continue to do America's business - protecting Americans still coming down out of Iraq."

The chief then gave a shout out to several different units.

"Anybody here more valued than another?" asked the general. "I would tell you 'no,' everybody counts, everybody matters and everybody contributes."

Schwartz then mentioned several individual athletes who were recognized as being the best, but whose teams did not make it into any playoffs or finals.

"Individual excellence matters, it's what we all strive for and it's important," he said. "As a general rule, however, individual excellence does not win. We never want to forget about the team and what we all can do if we strive together."

He then talked about the current economic situation in the United States.

"A trillion dollar deficit cannot be sustained and the Department of Defense is part of the solution," Schwartz said. "Yes, we're going to get smaller; smaller together, and however we end up, we're going to be ready, trained, properly equipped, motivated and still a superb Air Force.

"It's better to be a smaller, superb Air Force than a larger, average one," he said.

The Chief also raised the issue of manpower changes within the Air Force.

"The Air Force went over the authorized manpower ceiling, probably because the economy encouraged people to stay in, worthy work and a mission that is important to our country," Schwartz said. "Too many people on active-duty means that the money to pay their salary comes from flying hours, maintenance spare equipment, child care hours and equipment in the fitness center."

He said that the number of enlisted personnel is almost where it should be, with possibly a few more date of separation rollbacks.

"For the officers, we are about 700 people over," he said. "Early on we nibbled at this trying not to be too aggressive. Now we're going to be aggressive, go at it hard, as unpleasant as it is, and get it behind us so no one has to worry if they'll face involuntary separation kinds of action."

Schwartz also discussed Air Expeditionary Force-Next.

"The way we have done things bringing people from all over to create unit cohesion and synergy gets the mission done, but we actually believe deploying as a unit is a better way to go about this," he said. "Instead of 35 wings supporting one base, two or three wings will support a deployment."

The concept for AEF-Next is to have two or three wings train together. When the deployment cycle comes up, one base will provide 60 percent of the manning, while the other one or two bases provide the remaining 40 percent. This ratio then flips during the next cycle.

"We won't break the home base," said Schwartz. "This will start in January and after two cycles it will be fully implemented in October."

The Air Force expects AEF-Next to solve another issue.

"We've never been able to synchronize deployments with assignments, so with AEF-Next people won't leave before deploying or PCS after a deployment to another unit and deploy again," said Schwartz.

The general also briefed on Dover Port Mortuary.

"The Air Force did not perform to standard at Dover Port Mortuary," Schwartz said. "Americans who lose a son or daughter expect folks at Dover Port Mortuary to welcome the fallen members of Armed Forces and treat them with reverence, dignity and respect. We understand the obligation associated with fulfilling that responsibility.

"Reputation is hard to earn and easy to lose," he said. "We are earning our reputation back with the parents of America."

Schwartz also spoke about suicide prevention and the importance of intervention.

"In the last four days there have been three suicides," he said. "One suicide is too many. This is family business."

He urged anyone who is under stress or in duress to seek help. Furthermore, he asked anyone who senses someone around them who may be thinking of suicide to make it part of their personal conviction to intervene.

After providing these updates, the general opened the floor and took several questions from the audience on a variety of topics, including current Air Force operations tempo, future deployments and healthcare benefits.

As he departed, the general closed with, "Starting from scratch is amazing," and saluted the 332nd AEW.

• Date Taken: 11.18.2011
• Date Posted: 11.21.2011 04:00
• Story ID: 80309
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)