CMSAF visits Aviano Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Colleen Wronek
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy (USAFENS) --  The 14th Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force visited Aviano Airmen Monday with U.S. Air Forces in Europe Command Chief Master Sgt. Gary Coleman.

During his visit, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Gerald Murray discussed the Air Force’s future with Aviano’s enlisted at the mass briefing facility.

The main topics of discussion were training, deployments, education and the new uniform.

“We are seeing an increase in joint training with our Airmen because that’s how we fight. No one particular service can do everything we need our military to do today,” Chief Murray said. “What we can do is develop and prepare our Airmen to be contributors to the joint team through education and experience. Today’s Airmen are going to Southwest Asia and other places where they’re working in a joint environment and we need to ensure those first-hand experiences are being shared with their coworkers.”

Chief Murray said the Air Force has 15 years of expeditionary combat experience and we need to focus on training to become warriors.

“We deployed our forces to the Middle East back in 1990 when Iraq was attacking Kuwait. We maintained Northern Watch and Southern Watch right here from Aviano. Operation Allied Force is still sustaining operations and then take the 9/11 time frame with Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom ... the type of combat experience we have is unbelievable,” he said.

Chief Murray said emphasis on being a warrior and combat ready is necessary.
“We highlighted basic training to provide more realistic training and to capture what we’ve been doing in our force for 15 years. Our plan now is to increase that training by two weeks,” he said. “We will continue to focus our efforts throughout our force on combat preparation for a joint environment.”

Chief Murray also said the educational and training level of the enlisted force impressed him.

“As busy as we are and have been, the educational level continues to rise at a phenomenal rate,” he said. “Through education, training and experience, we will continue to develop our Airmen and focus on Professional Military Education.”

Despite how busy our Air Force is, Chief Murray said Airmen are well-rounded and the Air Expeditionary Force system contributes to that.

“Our AEF system gives us predictability when we deploy. I think through the AEF and knowing when you are going to deploy can help balance opportunities,” he said. “It gives Airmen the ability to be involved in the community, balance their time with their families and better themselves. While our primary focus has to be the mission and supporting the Global War on Terror, we must continue to work to achieve a good balance in our lives.”

During the enlisted call, Chief Coleman modeled the new Air Force uniform while Chief Murray explained its features. Chief Murray said the new uniform should be available next year.

“We finalized the uniform and should see manufacturing begin by the end of 2006. Hopefully we will be able to issue the uniforms in early 2007,” he said. “History has shown us that it typically takes about three years to phase in a new uniform from the time we start manufacturing to the time that everyone has them. I think the first Airmen to receive the uniform will be those who are deployed in the combat theater.”

After 29 years of service to the nation and the Air Force, Chief Murray will retire this fall. He said the future of the Air Force is bright. His recommendation to new Airmen is to realize what a great opportunity it is to serve.

“It comes with sacrifice. The Air Force isn’t a job or an occupation -- it’s about serving an institution that has values and is larger than you. It’s about serving your nation and wearing the uniform,” he said. “You won’t get rich monetarily in the military, but you do get rich by the people you serve with. Each and every one of you is making a difference. It’s a pleasure to come over and say thank you for your service and what you do each and every day. Being an Airman is a great way of life.”