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AFSOC leader addresses concerns with SOG Airmen

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram
  • 353rd Special Operations Group public affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  The senior enlisted leader for Air Force Special Operations Command spent four days meeting with members of the 353rd Special Operations Group here July 28 - 31. 

Chief Master Sgt. Michael Gilbert, command chief for AFSOC, held briefings and visited each squadron within the group to share the command's participation in current operations around the world, discuss the future of Air Force special operations and address concerns Airmen may have.
 
The top enlisted Air Commando also talked about the importance of the group's mission in the Pacific Theater. The 353rd SOG is the focal point for all U.S. Air Force special operations activities throughout the Pacific theater. 

"Special operations is not just about direct action," Chief Gilbert said. "It's also about engaging with our partners and those that can become strong partners. This group is building those relationships in the Pacific theater that are so important to us. The stability of countries in this region is vital to our nation and this organization's presence and performance here is key to our success in the region." 

The chief stated the men and women in the group are the driving force behind the group's success and he and Lt. Gen. Donny Wurster, the AFSOC commander, could not be prouder of them. He pointed to the countless exercises the group supports, the "excellent" rating in a recent Operational Readiness Inspection and the multiple 2007 AFSOC-level awards won by members of the group. 

"Every time I visit the 353rd, I see great Airmen doing great things," Chief Gilbert said. "While you're not getting the same level of publicity as other theaters supporting the war on terror, so what? You are doing vital work and doing it very well. General Wurster and I are very proud to serve with you and consider ourselves lucky to lead such an outstanding group of Airmen" 

According to Chief Gilbert, the remarkable accomplishments the 353rd SOG, and other units across the Air Force, can be directly linked to leadership within the organization. 

"Where you see amazing results, where people have done amazing things, you'll find leaders very engaged with their people," he said. "If you look at organizations that are struggling, no matter what the reason, leadership will always tie into the problem." 

His guidance for leaders to ensure their people and organizations will be successful was a simple one word. 

"Involvement ... just get in there and do it," he said. "Have faith in your people; challenge them to do more than they think they can do. I think sometimes we make leadership seem too daunting a task and it causes some to hesitate. I encourage leaders, especially young ones, to just jump in and do their best. They'll find that they will succeed more often than not and their Airmen will be much better for it." 

Even up to the last hours of his four-day visit, Chief Gilbert was involved spending time with members of the group to hear their concerns. Many of the Airmen the chief met voiced their concerns about old equipment and training challenges affecting their various missions. The chief said he shared their concerns, but the obstacles can be overcome. 

"You are worried about the same things we all are. The 353rd and the Air Force have aging aircraft and training challenges, compounded by our operations tempo across the globe, but we have a mission to do for our country. If you keep true to our core values, our professionalism as Airmen and our character as special operators, I have no doubt you will get the mission done better than anyone else could have. No one can ask for more," Chief Gilbert said.