Photo By Maj. Elias Zani | Chief Master Sgt. Chad Bickley, the Command Sergeant Major Advisor, Coalition Air...... read more read more
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CAMP TAJI, Iraq - Eight chief warrant officers from the Iraqi Army Aviation recently gathered together for the first time for a one-day professional development seminar here, April 10, 2019.
The seminar was the result of communication, prioritization and problem solving which has occurred through air advisory engagements between Iraqi Army Aviation Chief Warrant Officer Jamaal Mohammad Mahdi, the Chief Warrant Officer, Iraqi Army Aviation, and Chief Master Sgt. Chad Bickley, the Command Sergeant Major Advisor, Coalition Air Advisory and Training Team.
“Just us gathering together for this meeting is a success,” said Bickley.
In addition to Iraqi enlisted leadership, the seminar had representation from Operation Inherent Resolve, Office of Security Cooperation - Iraq and NATO Mission Iraq, which brought enlisted experts from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army and Royal Canadian Armed Forces to share joint and international experience.
The seminar covered several topics, but the central theme was leadership.
“One trait of a leader is that they should be courageous,” explained Mahdi. “Before anyone becomes a commander or senior non-commissioned officer, we ensure he has integrity. He should be well known for his morality, integrity and courage.”
As the interpreter explained the American idiom “there is more than one way to skin a cat” it was obvious the message was universal; leadership does not follow a checklist, but great leaders share several traits, one of which is integrity.
“You have to own your mistakes. If you lose your credibility as a leader, it is really hard to gain that back,” explained Bickley. “But if you own your mistakes, respect from your Airmen will go up tremendously.”
Bickley spoke about the U.S. Air Force core values, those principle values which all U.S. Airmen are expected to exemplify. In sharing these values, Iraqi enlisted leadership said they saw similarities between our values and theirs.
“We believe when you make a mistake and you recognize it, that means you have great courage.” Mahdi said. “So when you make a mistake, you need to have the accountability and courage to admit it right away in order to prevent these mistakes from occurring again.”
As the seminar progressed, participants opened up and shared examples of how their respective units operate.
“One thing I always ask my Airmen is, ‘If you’re not disciplined in garrison, how can we expect you to be disciplined in combat?’” asked Bickley.
Although this seminar was the first of its kind, it will likely not be the last. The Coalition continues to work by, with and through the Iraqi Security Forces to grow the foundational functions in order to sustain Iraqi airpower.
“I have never been in a unit with high standards and low morale,” Bickley stated.
| Date Taken: | 04.10.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 05.12.2019 03:57 |
| Story ID: | 322125 |
| Location: | CAMP TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 167 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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