Air Force's top enlisted leader visits Spangdahlem

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Gustavo Castillo
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  The Air Force's top enlisted leader visited Spangdahlem Air Base March 25-26, 2013.

As part of the tour, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody met with leaders of Spangdahlem's private organizations, held an Airmen's call and took briefings about fighter wing operations.

First, he had lunch with the private organization representatives, where he learned about how these groups affect Airmen and their families.

"This is a family business," said Cody. "If we don't focus on our Airmen, their families and their ability to serve their U.S. Air Force and our nation anywhere we ask them to, we are going to miss the foundation of what gives us everything that we need to be able to do, and that is the support and the strength that we gain from each other."

The small meeting was a chance for Airmen of all ranks to discuss the many inner workings of the base and its organizations on a more personal level.

"You always see those people of such high rank on (American Forces Network) commercials, or in magazines," said Airman 1st Class Keith Washington, First Four president from Dublin, Ga. "But seeing them work hands-on and correlating with you face-to-face -- that is a wonderful experience."

During the Airmen's call, more than 2,000 Airmen gathered inside the Skelton Memorial Fitness Center where Cody covered a variety of key Air Force issues.

Cody spoke on topics such as tuition assistance, the effects of sequestration on force readiness, and the balance Airmen must make between home life and work. Cody said things may be more difficult for Airmen in the days ahead when second- and third-order effects of sequestration appear.

"The amount of time and resources we put in to the deliberate development of our Airmen is the most important thing we will do over these next few years," said Cody. "When you talk about the combining of education, training and experience and how we deliberately go about doing that, that is what gives us the distinct advantage as the world's greatest air force."

After the Airmen's call, members of the 52nd Fighter Wing briefed Cody on daily operations. Before concluding his stay, Cody met with a group of Air Force level award winners and outstanding performers nominated by their leadership for recognition.

"The service and sacrifice these Airmen make is appreciated by their nation, by their Air Force and their Air Force leadership," said Cody. "I would ask them to keep working hard, keep doing what they are doing for their nation, but take care of each other. Take care of their families, find and work on striking that right work-life balance.

"Our greatest strength is in our people. If our people are taking care of each other, and we are treating each other with dignity and respect, we create trust. Through that, we are able to accomplish anything."