Improvements, innovation require every Airman

  • Published
  • By Col. Jerry Martinez
  • 62nd Airlift Wing commander
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash., --  These past two weeks, Team McChord was honored with visits from a number of Air Force leaders. We welcomed Gen. Duncan McNabb, the Air Mobility Command commander; Maj. Gen. James Hawkins, the 18th Air Force commander; and Maj. Gen. Scott Gray, the Air Mobility Warfare Center and Rodeo commander. 

Throughout the course of their visits, McChord Airmen showed the generals the progress we've been making on Rodeo, joint basing, Air Force Smart Operations 21 initiatives and many other projects. Once again, the work you do every day impressed our leaders and made me proud. 

Improving and evolving our operations takes teamwork. From the junior Airman in a shop with a great idea to AMC and Air Force leadership who support and evaluate the resulting AFSO 21 initiative, it takes every Airman to ensure our country's air and space dominance now and into the future. 

If there's a way to improve our operations, it's our responsibility as Airmen to speak up and share our ideas, and as leaders it's our responsibility to listen when an Airman comes forward with an idea. At McChord, we've seen how our leadership's support can make our Airmen's ideas become reality and change the way we operate. We've proven our ability to streamline operations with our wheel and tire shop, One Stop and our new aircraft regeneration initiatives. 

During their visits, both General McNabb and General Hawkins were amazed by the dedication of McChord's Airmen to improving our Air Force. It's this type of drive and innovation that makes McChord the perfect base to host AMC's Rodeo competition. 

McChord Airmen will have the chance to impress not only our own leadership, but also leaders from nearly 30 countries who will participate in Rodeo to learn how to improve their mobility processes. There's no place better for our international guests to learn how to make combat airlift the best it can be. Thank you all for the dedication you show every day.