Commander updates wing

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --   Col. Robert J. Stanton, 403rd Wing vice commander, held two commander’s calls April 7, 2018, in the Roberts Consolidated Maintenance Facility. He talked about the importance of the change in the Wing vision statement to “Wing of Choice, Airmen First, Mission Always, and the mission to, “Develop exceptional Airmen ready to respond to every challenge every time,” as well as the Wing Defense Equal Opportunity Climate Survey. “We want to be the wing of choice,” said Stanton. “Yes, our wing will be called because of the unique mission sets that we have, but we want them to call us because we are the best. We want service members to want to come to our wing. And, we have to put our Airmen first to get the job done.” Leadership sent out a climate survey to help with the goal of making the 403rd Wing the ‘Wing of Choice’ and to find areas that need improvement. Areas of improvement were noted with clarification needed on the reporting procedures for sexual assault, organizational processes, and communication flow.  The way forward was addressed to fortify mission capabilities and improve morale.     “If you focus on anything, then focus on the three R’s: readiness, recruiting, and retention,” said Stanton.  “We are already doing a great job in these areas,” said Stanton. “Readiness training is at its best, we have a nationally-recognized recruiting staff, and we have a great developmental training flight.” He also stressed the importance of retention. “That is something all of you are going to have to help me with,” said Stanton. “We have a trained person - why would we want them to leave? We don’t.  We need to retain our top talent.” Stanton also presented Air Force Reserve Command awards. The following units and personnel were recognized during the event.

• The 403rd Operations Group earned the 2017 Airlift/Tanker Association's Lt. Gen. James E. Sherrard III Air Force Reserve Command Outstanding Unit Award.
• The 5th Operational Weather Flight, at Shaw Air Force Base, N.C., is the AFRC 2017 Weather Unit of the Year.
• Master Sgt. Marvin White, 5th OWF, was named the AFRC Weather Senior NCO of Year.
• Tech. Sgt. Robert Pepe, 5th OWF, was named AFRC Weather NCO of Year.
• Second Lt. Anthony Gehl, 403rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, was named AFRC Aircraft Maintenance Company Grade Manager of the Year.
• Master Sgt. Lucas Applewhite, 403rd SFS, earned the AFRC Outstanding Security Force Support Staff SNCO Award.
• Tech. Sgt. Aubrey Morrow, 403rd Security Forces Squadron, earned the AFRC 2017 Security Forces Todd “TJ” Lobraico Award.
• The 403rd Wing Recruiting Office won the Fiscal Year 2018 AFRC Recruiting Service Commander’s Coast to Coast Mass Enlistment Ceremony, which was held in D’Iberville during the North Bay Area Mardi Gras Association’s Parade Feb. 11.
• The 403rd Wing Public Affairs office claimed the 2017 AFRC Recruiting Service Public Affairs Award for their support to the wing recruiting office. They also earned the AFRC Brig. Gen. Harry J. Dalton Jr. Award for their coverage and support to the media mission during the 2017 hurricane season. The office and the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron aircrew that supported the 2017 Hurricane Awareness Tour earned the Maj. Henry ‘Hap’ Arnold Award for Public Affairs Communication Effectiveness.
• Maj. Marnee A.C. Losurdo, 403rd Wing PA, was named the 2017 AFRC Public Affairs Outstanding Communication Field Grade Officer of the Year, and her commentary placed first in the AFRC Print and Media Broadcast Contest.
• Staff Sgt. Heather Heiney, 403rd Wing PA, was recognized as the military writer of year in the AFRC Print and Media Broadcast Contest.

Stanton also announced and recognized the 2017 third- and fourth-quarterly award and annual award winners. Winners were in the categories of Airman, noncommissioned officer, senior noncommissioned officer, company grade officer, and civilian in the quarterly awards, along with the first sergeant of the year category in the annual awards.