Empowering Airmen; 177th Fighter Wing Airmen Instructed on the Path of Success

Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Andrew Merlock | Senior Master Sgt. Robert Cross (center) of the 103rd Airlift Wing Fire Department, Connecticut Air National Guard and Senior Master Sgt. Jeremiah Jordan of the 101st Airlift Wing Fire Department, Maine Air National Guard, provide classroom instruction to a group of airmen from the 177th Fighter Wing Fire Department, New Jersey Air National Guard, at the 165th Airlift Wing's Regional Fire Training Facility on April 7, 2016. Airmen from the Connecticut, Maine, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Vermont Air National Guard Fire Departments are conducting joint training exercises to maintain operational readiness. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Andrew J. Merlock/Released)  

SAVANNAH, GA, UNITED STATES

04.07.2016

Story by Tech. Sgt. Andrew Merlock 

177th Fighter Wing - NJ Air National Guard

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Airmen from the 177th Fighter Wing Fire Department, New Jersey Air National Guard, attended training sessions here at the 165th Airlift Wing's Regional Fire Training Facility on April 7, 2016 which will benefit not only their career progression, but, more importantly, the overall success of their department and the Air National Guard.

The training sessions, which focused on the Air Force inspection system, training records, awards and decorations and counseling, provided the airmen with a better understanding of the administrative actions required to ensure overall mission effectiveness.

"You matter to the overall picture," explained Senior Master Sgt. Robert Cross, Chief of the 103rd Airlift Wing Fire Department, Connecticut Air National Guard. "We intend to give you the tools to successfully progress in your career. Conformity in this area by all Air National Guard units is an integral part of overall mission success."

Cross, in addition to Senior Master Sgt. Jeremiah Jordan, Chief of the 101st Air Refueling Wing Fire Department, Maine Air National Guard, instructed the airmen and stressed the importance of taking a proactive approach in fulfilling their training requirements. Both Cross and Jordan communicated how the successful completion of all training requirements benefit not only their units, but ultimately the Air Force in a deployed environment.

"Self-motivation is a big part of the process," explained Jordan. "It's important to provide airmen at the lowest levels the tools, proper avenues and training to be self-motivated and understand the need to delegate responsibility throughout the organization."

Cross and Jordan also provided the airmen with some exposure to the Air Force's Management Internal Control Toolset (MICT). The airmen were taught the purpose of MICT and how the Air Force utilizes the program to conduct readiness inspections. Cross concluded the training day with a 2003 "And the Beat Goes On" video of Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder, which stressed the importance of fire-fighter training and the tragic results that have occurred due to poor preparation and complacency.

"During the past week, we gave you the best training that we could," Cross concluded. "Our hope is that you lead the charge and facilitate a better future for the Air National Guard as a whole."

• Date Taken: 04.07.2016
• Date Posted: 04.07.2016 15:06
• Story ID: 194716
• Location: SAVANNAH, GA, US