JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- The Air Force District of Washington and Joint Base Andrews are on the leading edge of a Chief of Staff of the Air Force initiative that will impact the Total Force Air Force.
The core project team tasked with overseeing a three-phase, full-time project to revitalize Air Force squadrons chose AFDW and JB Andrews as its first field visit.
Why?
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein said this in a letter to all Airmen dated August 9, 2016, during his first month as CSAF: “The squadron is the beating heart of the United States Air Force; our most essential team.”
In that letter, he further explained how a myriad of challenges have degraded over time the core fighting unit of the Air Force and stated, “Revitalizing squadrons as the core fighting unit in our Air Force will be the primary focus in my first year as your Chief.”
“This a chance for Airmen’s voices to be heard as we travel across the Air Force,” said Brig. Gen. Stephen L. Davis, Focus Area Lead – Revitalizing AF Squadrons. “"The visit to JBA and AFDW has been particularly important because it gave our team a chance to test our approach with Airmen and make several adjustments that will pay benefits as we continue to conduct field visits across the Air Force. The enthusiasm and support of the Andrews Airmen was remarkable.”
Among the dozens of AFDW and JB Andrews Airmen participating in this first field visit was Lt. Robin Danielson, who said he was excited for the opportunity for Airmen to have their voices heard and for the prospect of improving things for all Airmen, but especially for first-term Airmen.
“I would really hope something positive comes from this, like possible changes to improve programs or eliminate programs that just don’t work,” said Danielson, an Emergency Room nurse in the ER Department at Malcolm Grow Medical Clinics and Surgery Center. “This is a tremendous opportunity to provide feedback about what can be fixed to make our processes better for the Air Force.
A prior-enlisted troop who served five years in the United States Marine Corps, Danielson hopes the results from the process focus on those first-term Airmen: “We have to make things better for them so they will stay in and do their job with the highest morale possible … I’d love for them to enjoy every single moment and come out of the Air Force after their term, or stay an entire career with a positive attitude.”
Danielson also highlighted the Airmen in the squadrons are the ones “doing the hardest jobs, making things happen,” and noted that they are the reason that squadrons succeed in accomplishing the mission, a sentiment shared by Col. Kim R. Brooks, Project Manager – Revitalizing Air Force Squadrons.
“Air Force Squadrons are extremely successful and effective in accomplishing their missions, but challenges like manpower reductions and diminished resources coupled with ever-increasing operations tempo are definitely impacting our squadrons,” said Brooks. “These cumulative effects threaten and actually degrade readiness, morale and combat capability.” Consequently, a review of the Squadron, and the support it receives, is necessary.
“The objective of this initiative is to discover big opportunities that will improve the Squadron as the cohesive, ready and agile fighting force that the Air Force, Combatant Commanders and Nation requires,” said Davis. Further, he said, this Air Force-wide review will help determine how best to support a squadron, spread best practices and eliminate obstacles to success.
Eliminating obstacles to success is something Airmen like Tech. Sgt. David Patterson, 213 Maintenance Squadron, is looking forward to for his fellow maintenance Airmen.
“I hope this results in changes in Air Force Instructions and reducing regulation, where needed, and to see if they have a way to restructure in ways to better help us get our job done,” Patterson, a 14-year veteran said. “I hope they can streamline things even more.
“I don’t think there are any major problems -- the Air Force is really good at doing what we do, but if we can make things better especially for newer troops coming in, to have a simpler, streamlined Air Force, that is what I think we need.”
The Revitalizing Air Force Squadrons team is tasked to:
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Identify and disseminate Best Practices
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Address issues identified by Airmen in the field to improve Squadrons and Squadron-like organizations
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Identify and eliminate impediments to mission success
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Ensure Higher Headquarters policies, processes, and actions support Squadron success
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Improve preparation and support for Squadron Leadership Teams in all of their mission and force development responsibilities, including fun, family and culture
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Determine if Squadrons are properly organized and resourced for their missions in the 21st Century
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Determine if Squadrons are properly sized and have the most effective Total Force and Military/Civilian mix to accomplish their missions
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Determine if decision authorities are at the right level for Squadron success
The effort consists of three major phases: The Analysis Phase, to gather data; the Review Phase, to analyze data to generate recommended solutions; and an Implementation Phase to implement approved recommendations and track them to completion.
“The Project Team will turn meta-data, survey data, and field observations into conclusions and recommendations, resulting in a preliminary report outlining cost-effective, risk-acceptable actions the Air Force could implement effectively within most Squadrons to meaningfully improve both current and future readiness, effectiveness and morale,” said Brooks.
Following the AFDW and JB Andrews Field Interviews, there will be follow-on visits at more than 20 Bases, Major Commands and Numbered Air Forces through August 2017. The initial Report with Recommendations is expected in Fall 2017.
Looking forward to the initial report and its recommendations is Master Sgt. Mary Wise, 213 Maintenance Squadron.
“The goal is to be the best Air Force that we can be, and that involves constant change and constant evolution,” the 15-year veteran said. “We’ve seen the good, we’ve seen the bad, if we can help fix the bad we’ll be in a better place and leave the Air Force better for those who come behind us.”