Airmen communicating is key

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rochelle Clace
  • 19th Airlift WIng Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  Enlisted Airmen from across the base assembled at Heritage Park Sept. 24 for an enlisted call to discuss communication among the ranks and questions and concerns Airmen are having. 

Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Brinkley, 19th Airlift Wing command chief addressed the Airmen. 

"We need to communicate better because we can't take care of you, and we can't facilitate things, if we don't know what's on your mind," said Chief Brinkley. 

The chief also answered questions submitted by the Airmen. 

"I wanted to know what's on your minds, so I went out to all the groups and asked them to have folks submit questions to me," said Chief Brinkley. [There are] "things you need to know and things you're concerned about that effect you and your families that I can clarify and put into perspective for you." 

The first question he addressed was whether or not base housing was working with HP Communities to start enforcing upkeep standards in base housing. 

"I met with the housing manager, the folks who run Hunt Pinnacle, and they have increased their manning," said Chief Brinkley. "They will be doing some things to make sure we identify things that don't meet our standards." 

Another Airman was wondering when the new Air Force Instruction would be released for the proposed physical training standards set to come in affect January. 

"The AFI has been written, it's being coordinated and should be signed in the next week or two," said Chief Brinkley. 

There were also concerns among the Airmen about a high failure rate with the new physical training standards. 

"Pacific Air Forces did a sample PT test across the command with the new standards," he said. "When you have a base with people deploying, you need to be physically fit. We take physical fitness seriously." 

Airmen who work a midnight shift would also like to see customer service and finance open earlier so they don't have to make an off-duty trip when these services are needed. 

"The military personnel section is probably looking at adjusting their hours to accommodate shift workers. [They're] looking into making customer service hours between 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday starting Nov. 1," said Chief Brinkley. 

Chief Brinkley wrapped up the enlisted call by reminding Airmen of the importance of taking care of one another. 

"The last thing I'm going to leave you with is I need you to take care of each other on this base," the chief said. "We should never be too busy to look someone in the eyes and say, 'How are you doing?' That's what good teammates do."