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Air Force leaders focus on 'back to basics' approach

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kali L. Gradishar
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
ANAHEIM, Calif. --  What is an Airman? That is a simple question answered by the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney McKinley during the Airlift/Tanker Association Convention and Symposium in Anaheim, Calif., Nov. 7.

Chief McKinley said the term "Airman" includes the highest-ranking Air Force officer to the lowest-ranking Air Force enlisted member, as well as civilians; whether active duty, guard or Reserve.

The Airlift/Tanker Association, or A/TA, is a worldwide organization dedicated to supporting the air mobility mission. The organization annually conducts conventions and symposiums that provide a number of opportunities for Airmen. Not only are these events a chance to reunite with those who formerly served together, it also provides the audience a sense of current Air Force issues and focus areas.

"Back to Basics" is the straightforward message Air Force leadership relayed to Airmen during this year's convention. That means back to following the Air Force core values -- Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in All We Do.

"We have got that focus back ... our country needs to know we've got the right focus, and the world needs to know we've got the right focus," said the chief.

Along with Chief McKinley, Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley, Gen. Duncan McNabb, commander of U.S. Transportation Command, and Gen. Arthur Lichte, commander of Air Mobility Command, also relayed the "Back to Basics" theme at the A/TA convention. The basics are the future of the Air Force and they are the future or AMC in its mission with joint forces in the air and over the land and sea.

"There is no question this is a championship team ... it is everybody bringing the whole [mission] together," said General McNabb to the standing-room-only crowd of supporters of the AMC mission.

The A/TA convention is a time for these supporters to gather together, talk about the service and find ways to get better, he said.

Along with finding ways to improve in the times ahead, there was also an opportunity to look back -- hence the theme of this year's A/TA convention, "From Berlin to Baghdad and Beyond."

"Those who can't learn from the past are doomed to repeat it," said General Lichte in his closing remarks, noting the similarities of what service members encountered in the past and in recent times -- Berlin, Baghdad and Tbilisi.

Through it all, Air Force Airmen have answered the call, and "Airlift and air refueling have played a key role," added Secretary Donley. "As your conference theme - From Berlin to Baghdad and Beyond - suggests, you have shrunk oceans and closed the gap of the last tactical miles."