AETC leaders hold Airman’s call at Luke

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class David Owsianka
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Hundreds of Airmen attended an Airman's call at the Luke Air Force Base Theater July 15 where the Air Education and Training Command commander and command chief addressed their priorities for Luke and the future of Air Force training and education.

It's my job to make sure Airmen have what's needed to get the job done, said Gen. Edward Rice Jr., AETC commander. "The mission of AETC happens at our wings and our job is to make sure each base has what it needs."

General Rice wanted Luke members to know his direction for AETC and the Air Force, and he outlined three main priorities: the daily mission, new missions and future operations.

In the same way the nation is making changes, the Air Force is required to adapt in ways that will keep our nation strong as we move forward.

"I am confident that we'll provide Airmen with the resources needed to get the job done," Rice said, when talking about the mission today. "We are going to work hard to make sure Luke continues to produce the finest F-16 pilots in the world."

Rice also spoke about new missions to build a stronger Air Force, as the demands of getting better continue to grow.

Some of those innovations include having a remotely piloted aircraft training program, combat systems officer training and the joint strike fighter training.

AETC bases not only produce the quantities of people needed for the Air Force, but give those who graduate from each base quality training in terms of their skill level and capabilities.

"From a resource and mission perspective, it's important for AETC to anticipate what the future will look like and prepare enough in advance so we're not reacting at the end of the day," Rice said.

After speaking to Luke members, Rice opened the floor for Airmen to ask questions.
Several of the questions asked were about deployments, taking care of Airmen, renewable energy initiatives and the Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century helping AETC reach its goal.

"AFSO21 has given us an eight-step solving concept that allows us to systematically look at challenges we face and take a disciplined approach to understand each issue," Rice said.

"We want to ensure that the Airmen serving in the Air Force have the quality of service and life needed to accomplish the everyday mission," he said. "As we move forward we will continue to try to give Airmen what's needed from a professional stand point to help their quality of life and to allow them to continue to serve."

Chief Master Sgt. James Cody, AETC command chief, praised the accomplishments of Luke Airmen but focused on a more personal topic -- connecting with one another.

"Social networking has deprived us of a social connection with each other -- from having a physical, personal contact with our fellow Airmen," Cody said.

"Because we spend more time with the people we work with we need to take time to have discussions and be more deliberate in connecting with our fellow Airmen from a personal stand point. By doing this we'll know how things are going, good or bad; the hopes and desires of others, and how we can better relate to each other."

Luke AFB was the last stop on their cross-country visits to several AETC bases throughout the United States.

"We saw ample evidence that each base takes a disciplined approach to make changes in effectiveness and efficiency in our operations," Rice said. "Airmen are performing their jobs at a high level that will impact the mission of their base."