LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Shelina Frey, command chief
for Air Mobility Command, visited Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., Nov. 1 – 3,
2016. The command chief met Airmen from the 19th Airlift Wing and saw
first-hand how Combat Airlift sustains and executes Rapid Global Mobility anytime,
anywhere.
During Frey’s visit, she met with medical group technicians,
control tower operators, flightline mechanics and security forces Defenders to
gain a more personal perspective of the Black Knights’ dedication and
resilience to their mission.
Little Rock AFB embraces the total force concept hosting
active-duty, Guard and Reserve units along with other branches of service and
international forces. Impressed by this makeup, the command chief encouraged
continuing to take advantage of every partnership opportunity.
“You have an opportunity with the Air National Guard being
on this base to do things together so when we go out to an area of
responsibility, we go there with one voice, on the same team, getting after the
mission,” she said. “Expound on those opportunities. You have Marines on the
base. Why not put those young people in the same room together and let’s talk
about the ‘Hoorah’ and the ‘Aim High.’”
While speaking with the base’s upcoming noncommissioned
officers in charge at Airmen Leadership School, Frey talked about honing their
leadership skills in order to build successful leaders of tomorrow.
“Listen to our Airmen,” she said. “Please allow them to ask
questions, and let them be who they are. Let our Airmen understand where they
fit in with Rapid Global Mobility. And then own your command; own your
leadership. When you are surrounded by good leadership, you can’t help but to
be a good leader. ”
The way ahead for AMC is to continue to take care of Airmen
and their families so they can continue to generate RGM for America. Airmen at
Little Rock AFB are not only doing that, but they’re doing it with pride, the
command chief emphasized.
“(Little Rock Airmen) are innovative and they communicate;
they know what excellence looks like because they generate it every day. I contribute
that pride to their leadership because we all are a product of our leadership,”
she said.
The visit allowed Frey to gain a more in-depth look at
Combat Airlift. From the front gate to the flightline, Airmen shined as they
offered the command chief different perspectives on how air power is conducted
from Little Rock AFB.
“My cheeks are sore from smiling,” she said. “I
am never surprised when I see the goodness of our Airmen. I can hear in their
voice when they were giving me a briefs about their unit how proud they are to
be an Airman and how proud they are to be an Airman at Little Rock Air Force
Base.”