Leading from the front: Developing Team Aviano

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
CAMP DARBY, Italy --  A group of leaders from the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy participated in an off-site conference at Camp Darby, Italy March 29-31 to develop and improve as a wing and individually as Air Force leaders.

The conference was focused on three components: heritage, leadership development and a 731st Munitions Squadron mission immersion.

"We designed this off-site to emphasize team building, leadership development, 31st Fighter Wing history, and 731st Munitions Squadron mission familiarization," said Brig. Gen. Barre Seguin, 31st Fighter Wing commander. "In an overarching way, we endeavored to build relationships of trust, add outward mindset considerations to our leadership toolkit, relate historic 31st Fighter Group lessons to our present day 31st Fighter Wing, and make our leaders more effective, appreciative and articulate leaders across our diverse mission set."

During the heritage immersion, attendees visited the Florence-American Cemetery and Memorial and hiked to the Gothic Line, a World War II German defense line which stretched east-west 170 miles in the North Apennine Mountains. A wreath was presented to pay tribute to fellow World War II Airmen and the 10 Wyvern Warriors of the 31st Fighter Group buried at the cemetery.

"The ceremony was an opportunity to honor and thank [these veterans] for their service and sacrifice," said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Donnette Boyd, 31st Fighter Wing chaplain. "Their service and sacrifice was far greater than ours. We can never repay them; all we can do is honor them."

The second component, leadership development, consisted of a one-day seminar focused on helping individuals move from an inward to an outward mindset. According to the training curriculum, an outward mindset helps an organization focus on the mission and its objectives for more effective results. Aviano leaders also learned how mindsets influence behavior and how an inward mindset multiplies within and negatively impacts an organization.

"If we are inward thinkers we will not effectively achieve our mission to Deter, Defend or Develop Aviano because we will be too focused on ourselves," said Col. Deeann Lees, 31st Surgical Operations Squadron commander. "Developing an outward mindset puts everyone on the same sheet of music--in harmony. We can achieve more than can be imagined with an outward mindset."

According to Lt. Col. Chad Ashcraft, 31st Fighter Wing Safety chief of safety, the training will help him develop as a leader because it emphasizes that an outward mindset is the best practice for an organization.

Equipped with the conference's tools, Aviano leadership concluded the off-site with a 731st MUNS mission immersion. During this event, the group learned about the operational scope and challenges of maintaining the largest U.S. Air Forces in Europe Air Forces Africa munitions stockpile.

"Part of our intent was to equip our leadership team with first-hand knowledge of the 731st MUNS mission to best support Airmen and families and effectively advocate for the importance of Darby to our mission," said Seguin. "Our Team Aviano Airmen rely on us to meet their needs as they Deter Aggression, Defend U.S. and NATO Interests, and Develop Aviano."

Seguin also thanked Team Aviano leaders for their dedication and daily sacrifice in serving Airmen. He hopes leaders will apply what they learned to be more effective leaders to better articulate the mission across the wing and Air Force.