Photo By Tech. Sgt. Jami K Lancette | Chief Master Sgt. Cameron Kirksey, Air Force Reserve Command command chief master...... read more read more
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. - Chief Master Sgt. Cameron Kirksey, Air Force Reserve Command's command chief master sergeant, met with Grissom Airmen and got an up-close look at the Hoosier Wing before attending an all-call here May 3.
"The visit went great," said Chief Master Sgt. Robert Herman, 434th Air Refueling Wing command chief. "Throughout the chief's visit, he repeatedly commented about the energy of our folks and their willingness to get the job done."
Kirksey, who represents the highest level of enlisted leadership in the AFRC, echoed those words as he toured Grissom's facilities thanking Airmen for their service along the way.
"I wanted to take an opportunity to come out and look at each and every one of you and say thank you for your service," Kirksey said. "We cannot do this job; the U.S. Air Force cannot be the best air force in the world without men and women like you."
The chief began his tour at Grissom's Airmen Wellness Center, a facility that places all of Grissom's resources under one roof to help personnel and their families stay mission ready.
"Make sure you are taking care of each other whether it be home-station or down range," explained Kirksey. "Doing so is easy when you are on active duty and live close to base, but we have individuals here who are hundreds of miles from their base.
"This is where we are unique; this is where we need the skill set and strength to help each other because it certainly is a team sport and family readiness is an important part of that."
Throughout the tour, Kirksey coined several Airmen for their outstanding performance and contributions to their units.
Kirksey also took an opportunity to experience the state-of-the-art visual enhancements in Grissom's KC-135R Stratotanker flight simulator before meeting with Airmen from 72nd and 74th Air Refueling Squadrons.
"What each and every one of you are doing here is critical to the refueling mission, and you do it right," said Kirksey. "Continue doing what you do but also ensure you are continuously improving your skills anytime opportunities arise."
Whether those opportunities are professional military education or advanced degrees, Kirksey said they would help ensure the Air Force Reserve continues to be a key asset in meeting Department of Defense missions.
"We must improve ourselves by taking advantage of PME and advanced education in addition to incorporating the unique skill-set we already bring to the table from our civilian careers," Kirksey added.
Despite the skills reservists bring to the mission, Kirksey also warned Airmen during an all-call to be cognizant of their limits by properly balancing their civilian careers with their military careers.
"Sometimes I get concerned because I know we don't say 'no,'" Kirksey said. "There is a threshold out there that you cannot afford to break because once you break it that model will never be rebuilt.
"That model between your employer, between your family, and between this uniform is a fine line that must not be broken," he explained. "We will continue to deploy, we will continue to do the things we need to do for this nation, but when we are approaching that point in time I need you to understand that it is OK to take a knee."
In his role, Kirksey serves as the direct link between the enlisted force, advising Lt. Gen. James Jackson, chief of Air Force Reserve and AFRC commander, on matters concerning the health, morale and welfare of AFRC's enlisted force.
"In days of old it was always the reserve component as the after-thought, but now not so much; we are on the leading edge of the discussions," said Kirksey. "[Leadership] understands we, as reservists, are certainly more cost effective, and we have yet failed to answer our nations call, but to remain at the top of our game you must help us out; stay connected; stay engaged and take care of one another.
"For those of us who have a family or a supporting team, go home and thank them for their sacrifices as well because you certainly couldn't be doing what you are doing so well without their support," he added. "It's certainly a team effort, and we have to value their sacrifices as well."
Throughout the tour, Kirksey coined several Airmen for their outstanding performance and contributions to their units.
The following individuals were recognized: Senior Master Sgt. Linda Mason-Wilson, 434th Operations Support Squadron; Senior Master Sgt. Mike Pershing, 434th OSS; Master Sgt. Wendi Conwell, Aerospace Medicine Squadron; Master Sgt. Matt Eastburn, 49th Aerial Port Flight; Master Sgt. Joshua Welch, 74 Air Refueling Squadron; Tech. Sgt. Brent Mosier, 434th Maintenance Squadron; Tech. Sgt. Rachel Nichols, 434th AMDS; Tech. Sgt. Courtney Storey, 72nd Air Refueling Squadron; Tech. Sgt. Deborah Sweet, 434th Maintenance Group; Tech. Sgt. Timothy Vogel, 434th MXS; Staff Sgt. Shawn Cherty, 434th MXS; Staff Sgt. Jennifer Loyd-King, 434th AMDS; Senior Airman Cameron Green, 434th MXG; Senior Airman Ashley Hyatt, 434th AMDS; Senior Airman Jami Lancette, 434th ARW; Senior Airman Jesse Vanengelenhoven, 434th Logistics Readiness Squadron; and Dan De'Angulo, 434th Civil Engineer Squadron.
Grissom is home to the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135 unit in the Air Force Reserve Command, as well as three Army Reserve units. Airmen, Soldiers and Marines routinely deploy from Grissom around the world in support of the Department of Defense mission and U.S. strategic objectives.
Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.
| Date Taken: | 05.03.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.06.2015 08:57 |
| Story ID: | 162400 |
| Location: | GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, IN, US |
| Web Views: | 156 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, AFRC command chief visits Grissom, sends message to enlisted force, by MSgt Benjamin Mota, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT