SAN ANTONIO - The definition of 'unite' is to come together for a common purpose or action. Uniting Airmen was the focus of the Air Force Sergeants Association 2015 Professional Airmen’s Conference held here Aug. 23-26.
AFSA is a federally chartered, 501C(19) nonprofit organization representing the professional and personal interest of Airmen, veterans and their families. The Professional Airmen’s Conference was a five-day event comprised of various training sessions meant to educate and aid the approximately 500 members from AFSA chapters around the world. In addition to the training sessions, there was a series of professional development forums in where influential civilians and Air Force leaders spoke.
“It is always our great privilege to partner with Air Force leaders to bring professional development opportunities in this forum,” said retired Chief Master Sgt. Dan Yeomans, AFSA International President.
Several guests of honor attended the annual event including the Secretary of the Air Force, Air Force Chief of Staff, and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force.
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody highlighted pride, professionalism and performance displayed by the enlisted corps around the world. “When you put it all together, you get the most educated, experienced and capable force the world has ever known,” said Cody. “It’s unprecedented, the impact that our enlisted force is having on our nation and our ability to project airpower globally.”
Though the conference catered to enlisted Airmen, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Welsh was in attendance to speak with attendees about the importance of treasuring the former Chief Master Sergeants of the Air Force.
“It’s only appropriate since we are at an AFSA conference, that we remind ourselves that we are in the presence of some legendary Air Force sergeants right now,” said Welsh. “These are amazing men, people who have truly answered their nations call and took their oath seriously.”
Welsh also gave his perspective on what the Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force should be.
“We try to define what a Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force is with one word but that is impossible because they are all different and unique,” he said. “I believe in order to be the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, you have to be passionate about the Air Force and its Airmen; you have to have an unbelievable amount of pride in yourself; you have to have near perfect performance over your course of your career.”
The conference concluded with the honors banquet where Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James was the keynote speaker. During the speech James described her top three priorities going forward. Those priorities are taking care of people, modernizing the Air Force and making every dollar count. James also recognized the challenges we have to overcome in the future.
“I think we all can agree that the demand on our Airmen has never been higher,” she said.
In its 54th year of operation, AFSA continues to represent the professional and personal interest of all Airmen and their families. To do this, AFSA leaders work with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the White House to help pass legislation to benefit members of the armed forces, or to fight laws that may problematically affect them.
“Our hope is that those in attendance have found some nuggets of inspiration and knowledge that will help them continue to serve our Air Force,” said Yeomans.