Author: Natasha Lee, Stars and Stripes
Source: Stars and Stripes Pacific edition, Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Comments: 

This is a great article wrote by the 18th CC. It breaks down what happen with the CSAF and SecAF and how it ought to effect "Airmen" across the AF.    If you would like this article in print please purchase it from the source Website.

KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa — Brig. Gen. Brett T. Williams, 18th Wing commander, said the recent shake-up of top Air Force officials following a blunder over nuclear weapons is a loss to the force, but a lesson for Kadena airmen about accountability and responsibility.

Earlier this month, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates dismissed Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley and Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne after findings that nuclear missile fuses had been mistakenly shipped to Taiwan and a B-52 bomber had been erroneously armed with nuclear-tipped cruise missiles.

"No matter where you are in the Air Force — in retirement or a junior airman — the resignation of senior airmen will have an effect on what you do," Williams said. "This is already a difficult time for the Air Force. We, like other services, don’t have all we need to fight the war on terror."

Williams said Gates’ decision, however, sent a clear message to airmen about properly fulfilling their duties and how the actions of a few can significantly impact leadership.

"Just because we don’t have a nuclear mission, if you’re thinking: ‘This can’t happen to me,’ you’re wrong. The standards apply. Look at yourself and look at your leadership," Williams said. "It’s a challenging message, but the mission hasn’t changed."

Days after the firings, Williams met with more than 6,000 servicemembers and civilians who work on Kadena Air Base.

Gen. Carrol H. Chandler, Pacific Air Forces commander, had called for Pacific leaders to reinforce the value of maintaining high Air Force standards.

Williams, who took command in 2007, said he stressed during the meetings that the 18th Wing must strive to do its mission better.

Part of that, Williams said, was more emphasis on operational readiness and family involvement.

"We could do it before, but we didn’t meet the standard — my standards," he said.

Williams said in the last year, the wing had made significant strides in combat operations performance and had recently received an "excellent" rating from the Pacific Air Force Inspector General.

The wing received another "excellent" rating for its ability to evacuate dependents off-base quickly under the Okinawa Area Emergency Evacuation Plan.

Spousal involvement has also increased thanks to programs like a one-day workshop offered by the First-Term Airmen Center and hosted by Williams’ wife, Marianne, that introduces spouses to Kadena’s services and elaborates on how the Air Force works.

Williams said moving forward, the wing must continue to improve its capabilities in aircraft maintenance and to launch aircraft quickly and efficiently.

"We must not lose our operational edge," he said.

Off-duty conduct is equally important, Williams said, particularly given the military’s sometimes tense relationship with the Okinawan community.

Regarding the controversial ousting of Moseley and Wynne, Williams urged airmen to be open-minded.

"I accept Defense Secretary Gates’ directives to us to remain open to criticism and critique. I know he’s exactly right," Williams said.

"You have to encourage an outside look. You would be arrogant to think that you know everything going on in your organization. I encourage people not to get defensive about it," he said.