355th Wing Commanders Explore Leadership Lessons During Offsite In Gardner Canyon

Photo By Airman 1st Class Jaden Kidd | U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Chase Hilton, 563rd Operational Support Squadron survival, evasion, resistance, and escape specialist, teaches a course on knot tying during an offsite event for 355th Wing leaders at Gardner Canyon, Arizona, March 23, 2026. Activities included courses on knot tying, shelter building, fire starting and land navigation that required commanders and senior enlisted leaders to work together and rely on each other to complete the task. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jaden Kidd)

  

SONOITA, ARIZONA, UNITED STATES

03.27.2026

Story by Airman 1st Class Jaden Kidd 

355th Wing

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Leaders from across Davis-Monthan Air Force Base’s 355th Wing gathered for an offsite focused on strengthening relationships, building morale and preparing for future challenges in Gardner Canyon, Arizona, March 23-24, 2026.

For U.S. Air Force Col. Jose Cabrera, 355th Wing commander, the offsite gave leadership teams an opportunity to step away from their normal workspaces, align priorities and strengthen morale throughout the wing.

“The offsite helped bring together our squadron commanders and our squadron senior enlisted leaders in an environment where they could focus on teamwork, creating cohesion, and on the challenges that are ahead as we step into the next year for the wing,” Cabrera said.

Activities included courses on knot tying, shelter building, fire starting and land navigation that required commanders and senior enlisted leaders to work together and rely on each other to complete the task. Participants camped at the location overnight, giving them more time after the activities and an extensive hike to sit down and discuss different professional development topics.

“My favorite part was watching the squadron commanders and senior enlisted leaders work through problems together, back each other up and help each other get through some difficult portions of the land navigation course,” Cabrera said.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kelvin Hatcher, 355th Wing command chief, said the offsite centered on building connections across leadership teams.

“It was all about helping each other, trusting each other and caring about one another,” Hatcher said. “I’m looking for a strong team, with a really solid culture of connection with one another, not just within their individual squadrons but across the wing.”

• Date Taken: 03.27.2026
• Date Posted: 03.30.2026 12:29
• Story ID: 561549
• Location: SONOITA, ARIZONA, US