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Top Enlisted Airman visits Hurlburt for first time

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mareshah Haynes
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Hundreds of Air Commandos gathered at Freedom Hangar to see the 16th Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force, James Roy, during an all call here Sept. 22.

Chief Roy's tour consisted of visits to all components of Team Hurlburt, including the 1st Special Operations Wing, Air Force Special Operations Command and tenant unit work centers.

This was his first visit to Hurlburt Field since he assumed the position of the senior Air Force enlisted member in June.

During the all call, Chief Roy expressed his priorities for America's Airmen.

"Obviously, the priorities of my office as chief master sergeant of the United States Air Force need to align with the priorities of the United States Air Force," Chief Roy said. "The first one, nuclear enterprise, is something we all need to be a part of. My office is focused on how we best present those forces and what those Airmen are doing."

Nuclear enterprise has become such a high priority that the Air Force stood up the Air Force Global Strike Command, the newest major command in 12 years, focused on and dedicated to the nuclear and conventional global strike mission - a key component of strategic deterrence.

Another priority he stressed is continued technical training and professional military education, including joint and coalition PME.

"The first line supervisors conducting on-the-job training is so, so important to who we are as the United States Air Force and as Airmen," Chief Roy said in regard to maintaining technical proficiency.

"We have some pretty large gaps in our PME for enlisted forces. For instance, between [Airman Leadership School and the Noncommissioned Officer Academy] is a 10 year gap, and we need to try to close that gap now. Other elements of that are that we would like to look to more deliberate development in our joint PME along with partner nations."

One particular unit at Hurlburt Field has the opportunity to align with the chief's priority for more joint training opportunities.

The 6th Special Operations Squadron is a foreign aviation advisor unit that instructs other nation's air forces on internal defense and tactical procedures.

"The 6th SOS has a unique opportunity to lead by example when interacting with host nation partners," said Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Ryal, 6th SOS combat aviation instructor. "Our constant attention to professionalism often leads to changes in the partner nations' interactions between their enlisted core and officers."

Chief Roy concluded his address to the Airmen of Hurlburt Field with remarks about the Year of the Air Force Family.

Air Force leaders declared July 2009 through July 2010 as the Year of the Air Force Family.

"Significant emphasis will be placed on the four important areas of concern for Air Force families: affordable and available family housing, safe schools that challenge and prepare children for the future, accessible and quality medical care for Air Force families and quality childcare," said Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley during an Air Force Sergeants Association Conference Aug. 19. "For single Airmen, who make up 40 percent of the force, Secretary Donley pledged the Air Force would concentrate on their unique requirements for dormitories and (morale, welfare and recreation) services that offer fulfilling off-duty activities."

Falling in line with the priorities set for the Air Force, Chief Roy said he will focus on highlight those four pillars more aggressively during his tenure.

"We when talk about recruiting, we're thinking about the individual," Chief Roy said. "When we talk about retention, we think about the whole family."