20AF commander says ‘Thank you’ to 90MW Airmen

FRANCIS E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, WY, UNITED STATES

12.04.2017

Story by Airman 1st Class Braydon Williams 

90th Missile Wing

Major General Anthony Cotton, 20th Air Force commander, held an all call at the base theater here, Nov. 29, 2017.
Cotton began the all call with saying two words to the members of the 90th Missile Wing; “Thank you," he said. "Thank you for being able to take the ICBM enterprise to the next level."
He spoke in-depth about leadership at all levels, as the Air Force moves to revitalize squadrons.
“I want you to understand that you have frontline supervisors and leadership that care,” said Cotton. “And the highest levels in the Air Force are focused on making sure we get and keep more supervisors that care.”
The concept of ‘leading from the heart,’ or compassionate leadership, is something the 90th MW commanders have displayed, Cotton added. He stressed it is not enough to just fulfill the mission, and it falls upon every leader, from front line supervisors to the wing commander, to take care of their people.
“It is good to know that senior leadership is concerned about their people rather than solely focusing on the mission,” said Airman Charles Edwards, 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron defender. “Because we Airmen are the mission. We make it happen.”
Besides strong leadership, Cotton also expressed the importance of the nuclear enterprise as the backbone of the nation’s strategic stability.
“I think the general talked well about the importance of the ICBM mission and what it really means to the Air Force and the nation as a whole,” said Lorri Welsh, 90th MW protocol chief. “ICBMs are vital to our national defense, but most people don’t know a whole lot about them and that’s something the general wants to change.”
Responding to questions from members of the wing, Cotton pointed out the need for all Airmen to understand how they contribute to the mission and that operators, maintainers, defenders and support personnel are all vital to ensuring a safe, secure, effective and lethal nuclear deterrent.
“It’s important that you know what is below the many tons of concrete at a launch facility, and what that Minuteman III weapon system on constant alert means to national defense,” Cotton said. “If the enemy gets access to our assets out in the missile complex or breaches the double-layered fences of our weapon storage areas, they have hold of the most powerful weapon system in the U.S. arsenal. That’s why it is vital that you understand just how important you all are to this nation.”

• Date Taken: 12.04.2017
• Date Posted: 12.04.2017 15:38
• Story ID: 257384
• Location: FRANCIS E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, WY, US