USAFE command team makes first visit to Airmen at Lajes

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Olufemi Owolabi
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Azores --  
Airmen of the 65th Air Base Wing hosted the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Commander, Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, and USAFE Command Chief Master Sgt. David Williamson during a two-day visit to see the men and women of Lajes Field, Azores, Feb. 15-16.

This visit to Lajes was the team's first to the wing after General Welsh took command of USAFE on Dec. 13, 2010.

The USAFE leadership team was accompanied by their spouses, Mrs. Betty Welsh, and Mrs. Mary Williamson.

During the visit, the USAFE team got an overview of the Lajes mission from Airmen during a briefing at the wing conference room. Unlike a traditional briefing given by unit commanders, this time the briefing was delivered to the general by junior Airmen, who carry out the mission every day.

In a commander's call held at the Portuguese hangar here, General Welsh said the role Lajes plays in USAFE and the Air Force mission is crucial, and the Airmen are a critical part of it.

"Everybody in this room is critically important. You are the ones really making a difference in people's lives and in the Air Force mission. You make a difference...you really do!" said General Welsh.

Before the commander's call, he had breakfast with some Airmen, shared a few thoughts with them at the Top of the Rock Club and answered questions they had about various issues. The general made the session a two-way communication process when he asked the Airmen various questions and listened to their opinions.

"Each of you has a voice and opinion," the general said. "You should feel very comfortable to use both of them."

According to Chief Williamson, providing feedback is one of the ways the leadership could hear from their Airmen and know what their issues are. "We are your advocates, and it is our job to help you get the things you need to do your job," Chief Williamson said.

General Welsh shared some of his beliefs with Lajes Airmen explaining family is on top of his list.

General Welsh said he believes taking care of family is important, and is always his top priority. He explained that everything that affects Airmen and their families can affect the mission, because it can affect their behavior and performance at work.

He urged the leadership to always listen to their Airmen and find out what their stories are, because he said "every Airman has a story."

"And each story is unique," General Welsh said. "If you don't know the stories, you can't lead the Airmen." He gave kudos to Airmen, including their Portuguese partners, for building good relationships and for the great work they do at Lajes every day. "Joint is the only way to fight," the general said, "and building partnerships and coalition efforts is really very important."

Before the general opened the floor for questions, Chief Williamson talked further about his priority list -- readiness, accountability, and caring for each other and families.

"You need to be combat ready; be ready to deploy," Chief Williamson said. "Meaning, be technically proficient at your job, be mentally ready, and be physically and spiritually ready, and ensure your family is prepared." He also said all Airmen are responsible for their subordinates. "Be accountable when it comes to safety and compliance standards -- hold your leaders accountable too," the chief said.

The USAFE command, as the air component for U.S. European Command, is responsible for directing air operations in a theater spanning three continents, covering more than eight million square miles.