Former Air Force boss addresses base leaders

  • Published
  • By Capt. Gerardo Gonzalez
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Security threats against the U.S. posed by terrorists and other nations will continue to challenge the military in the future said the former Air Force chief of staff to Luke Air Force Base leaders during an off-site conference Saturday.

Retired Gen. T. Michael Moseley was guest speaker during the leadership off-site held in the F1 Race Factory conference facility in Phoenix and attended by Luke commanders, wing staff agency chiefs, group chief master sergeants and special staff.

"The global security challenge is as complicated and as lethal as it's ever been," said General Moseley. "If not, more so."

The general cautioned about two sources of threats -- countries arming themselves to challenge the U.S. on the world stage and those "failed or failing states" struggling internally to maintain order. Internal struggles make it difficult for nations to prosper, leading to poverty, disease and conflict.

"A child that grows up in that environment may see violence as the answer, because he has grown up with nothing," General Moseley said.

Airmen will continue to face those future challenges along with the current ones.

"That's the environment we're living in and the world you're going to have to deal with, because you're at the sharp end of the spear," General Moseley said.

The general believes the Air Force to be a critical piece to the defense of the nation and that everything done in the service, whether it's organizational structure, training, education, the service ethos and image, policies and equipage -- is all done for one purpose ... and, that is to fight and win this country's wars.

"You're the most lethal, best combat force in the world," he said.

The general, an F-15 Eagle pilot by trade and former Combined Forces Air Component Commander for operations Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, said the Air Force brings a unique perspective to the fight. The ability to concentrate air, space and cyberspace power quickly and globally raises fear among U.S. enemies.

General Moseley also commented on the importance of deployment readiness and his past efforts while leading the force to cultivate an expeditionary mindset.

"Every single person in the Air Force is a combatant," he said. "You need to deploy because that's your duty."

He said every Airman has sworn to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. And in today's Air Force that requires serving overseas to protect the nation when called upon.

"Americans sleep pretty soundly at night because of what you do," said the general. "They don't have to worry about the security of the nation, because you're on the job."

The general also emphasized the importance of taking care of people, including families, and cautioned against people not taking care of themselves.

"It's incumbent to watch out for our families (because of deployments)," said General Moseley. "No one is exempt from stress and pain. Understand the stress on you and your family and find how to deal with it."

The former four-star general said spouses are the drive and soul behind the success of the Air Force and it's important for leaders to ensure they're taken care of.

General Moseley served as Air Force chief of staff from September 2005 to July 2008. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1971 and entered the Air Force in 1972 after earning his master's degree in political science.

"It was an honor and privilege having the 18th chief of staff of the Air Force spend the day with us," said Brig. Gen. Kurt Neubauer, 56th Fighter Wing commander. "The wisdom and experience he imparted on us from serving nearly 40 years in the Air Force was phenomenal. I will never forget this day."