Photo By Ryan Labadens | Col. Jennie Johnson, 403rd Wing commander, speaks during a commander's call Aug. 6,...... read more read more
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KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Col. Jennie R. Johnson, 403rd Wing commander, held her first set of commander’s calls at the Roberts Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Facility Sunday.
She began the events by recognizing the achievements of the wing’s Airmen. She presented an Air Force Commendation Medal to Maj. Joseph Kato for meritorious service with the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, Air Force Achievement Medals to a group of maintainers who completed an engine modification to the 403rd Wing’s entire fleet of aircraft, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award to the 403rd Maintenance Group, and several other Air Force Reserve Command, 22nd Air Force and 403rd Wing awards.
“I’m proud of all of you, you are exceptional,” she said.
After recognition and several informational briefings, Johnson introduced Col. Robert J. Stanton, the 403rd Wing’s new vice commander. Stanton first came to the 403rd Wing in 2005, months before Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, as a navigator for the 53rd WRS. In 2006 he became director of operations for the Hurricane Hunters before becoming deputy commander of the 403rd Operations Group in 2008. Then, in 2015 he moved to Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, to be the commander of the 302nd Operations Group for two years before returning to Keesler.
“I appreciate the boss for letting me have the opportunity for a second tour at Keesler,” Stanton said. “I missed the Gulf Coast, I missed the mission here, and it’s just great to see all the fantastic stuff going on here at the 403rd.”
After introducing Stanton, Johnson discussed how her priorities of Airmen and Mission align with the recently updated Air Force priorities. The new priorities include restore readiness, cost-effectively modernize, drive innovation, develop exceptional leaders and strengthen our alliances.
She said she’d like the wing to focus even more on restoring readiness and developing exceptional leaders by moving toward more career field-specific training and education on what it means to lead.
“I want you to deploy and then come home and say you felt well trained, prepared and ready to go,” Johnson said.
She also said that overall, the Wing as a whole is already doing everything that the Air Force sees as a priority. Some examples include members cost-effectively modernizing and driving innovation by creating training plans and manufacturing parts that are necessary but don’t exist elsewhere due to the unique nature of the Hurricane Hunter mission. They’re strengthening alliances by working with other units across Air Force Reserve Command and continuously fostering a relationship with their host unit, the 81st Training Wing.
“They want to make the mission happen and they find a way to do it,” she said. “You’re doing so much every single day, and I so appreciate all of you.”
| Date Taken: | 08.09.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 10.31.2017 10:30 |
| Story ID: | 253533 |
| Location: | KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISSISSIPPI, US |
| Web Views: | 56 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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