People fuel Air Force mission

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Arlo Taylor
  • 314th Airlift Wing Strategic Information Flight
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  Retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Robert Gaylor, visited Little Rock Air Force Base Aug. 25-26 to welcome the base's newest master sergeants into the senior NCO ranks.
As part of his visit, the chief met the men and women who make the unique mission of tactical airlift happen.
"I have always admired the C-130 - it's truly earned the label 'workhorse of the Air Force,'" the chief said. "But the C-130 can't do anything until people become a part of it. Somebody has to fuel it, somebody has to maintain it, somebody has to fly it and somebody has to load it."
From prosecuting the Global War on Terrorism to humanitarian relief, the chief said the mix of people and plane make the C-130 indispensable.
"When you take the talents of the people and the aircraft itself, you've got mission accomplishment," he said. "There's no question that if we didn't have the capability of the C-130, we wouldn't be able to be doing what we're doing."
Training is essential to keeping the Air Force mission on course, according to the chief.
"There is no substitute for training and preparation for whatever we have to do. It's a matter of staying ready and alert - personally and professionally," Chief Gaylor said.
In addition to training, front line supervisors serving where the "rubber meets the road" are critical linchpins keeping the mission moving, Chief Gaylor said.
"Our most critical management positions are those in the middle NCO ranks," said the chief. "All of our leaders are important, but right where the work is being done is the greatest requirement for good supervision. That's where the face-to-face activity is taking place. The bottom line is mission accomplishment, and we're doing that because of trained supervisors."
The chief recalled the challenges of becoming a supervisor in his own career. One advantage today's NCOs have that he didn't have is robust professional military education. The chief said today's professional military education is crucial in raising today's leaders.
"What we do now with our Airman Leadership Schools and NCO Academies, we give our potential leaders some insight into how to do those transitions, whereas in my day we didn't have them," the chief said.
The chief said dedication everyday makes a difference in an NCO's career.
"Everyday you have to respond to the demands of the mission, everyday you have to have the right attitude. Everyday you have to go in with the right frame of mind," he said.
"There were days that I got up and I thought, 'I just don't feel like being a sharp Airman.' But then I'd get to work and I'd say 'I have no choice, I've got to. I've got things to do.' It's an on-going process of doing the best that you can."
A key to personal success the chief has observed is focusing on helping others succeed.
"One thing I've found is look for ways to make other people look good. It comes back to you multiplied," he said. "It's a great lesson to learn not to be selfish where you are (saying) 'Watch out here I come, I only care about me' - that doesn't work," Chief Gaylor said.
The 76-year-old enlisted force ambassador said he's proud of the job Airmen are doing.
"I am so impressed with the young men and women of the Air Force of today. I think it's the greatest Air Force I've ever seen. It's a great force," he said. "It's an exciting time. You'll look back on this era as one of the most demanding and dynamic time frames we've ever faced in American history.
"I know this, if I was of the age to come on active duty, I'd do it all over again. I'd gladly serve with the Air Force of today."