CMSAF visits UK, paves way forward

Photo By Master Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla | Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy speaks to airmen at the First Term Airmen Center here March 13, 2012. During his visit to the base, Roy also met with a group of first line supervisors and hosted an all call for RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath personnel.  

MILDENHALL, SFK, UNITED KINGDOM

03.13.2012

Story by Staff Sgt. Tabitha Lee 

100th Air Refueling Wing   

RAF MILDENHALL, England — The chief master sergeant of the Air Force visited RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath, March 13, to discuss important Air Force topics with airmen.

CMSAF James Roy visited several locations on both bases and said he was impressed by the professionalism of airmen.

"When you enter the gate at both bases, you can just see the sense of pride," said Roy. "When you look at the operations that are going on in the world today, the units assigned to both bases are affecting the battle every single day."

During his visit to RAF Mildenhall, Roy visited the First Term Airmen's Center to discuss the importance of the Air Force training program and the benefits of FTAC.

He also met with several of the base's first-line supervisors to discuss issues and rumors that are currently troubling young airmen.

"We don't need airmen worried about their retirement," he said, as he addressed the subject later during an all-call. "We need them focusing on the mission and upgrade training."

Roy's visit included an all-call at RAF Lakenheath, where he spoke to an audience of more than 2,000 enlisted and commissioned Airmen from both RAF bases.

During the all-call, Roy offered a concept he said he borrowed from Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr., Air Education and Training Command commander, about "pivoting the enterprise."

"Changes to the National Defense Strategy will affect the way we operate," said Roy. "The budget will change us. You are the experts in your particular functions, and you're going to help us through this. You have the knowledge to help us change the enterprise."

Although things are changing, there is still a job to do, said Roy.

"We have a mission to do for our nation, and we need to keep that in mind, but we are not going to have the same resources that we have had in the past," said Roy.

The final topic the CMSAF addressed was resiliency which he said was not just another program.

"This is a topic I personally take to heart, and your Air Force leadership is concerned about it.

"It's a culture of taking care of each other, and it's an addition to the wingman concept," said Roy. "Human life matters, and each and every one of you matters to (Air Force leadership)."

Before leaving, the CMSAF thanked the local community for their support of the U.S. Air Force in England.

"The Royal Air Force is a great partner and one of our strongest allies," said Roy. "The community around each base supports our airmen, and we appreciate that."

• Date Taken: 03.13.2012
• Date Posted: 03.14.2012 11:51
• Story ID: 85233
• Location: MILDENHALL, SFK, GB