New demands, threats require thinking to change

  • Published
  • By Brig. Gen. Robert P. Steel
  • 48th Fighter Wing commander
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Institutionally, the Air Force as a whole is going through the most progressive and pioneering changes ever attempted. With change, there always comes challenge--challenging the "old way" of doing things, changing habits, changing processes and even changing attitudes at time. Suffice it to say, as we expand to meet our new cyberspace mission and our ongoing Global War on Terror mission, challenges must be met and expectations will change.

As we struggle with change in our organization, sometimes we struggle with maintaining organization values and standards. I ask each of you to center yourselves on our Air Force standards regardless of how drastic your work centers, career fields and job processes change. When you took your oath of enlistment or oath of officership, you also took on the Air Force Core Values.

Let's reflect on these values - integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do. As our force goes through a strategic re-shaping and the implementation of new Air Force Smart Ops is heard more and more, we must hold hard and fast to these basic Air Force principles. They are the foundations on which our force was built and will continue to stand.

Many of you, like I do time to time, may find the new initiatives and constant change overwhelming. Consider this quote by Viktor Frankl, psychologist and author, "When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. "

No words ring truer during this time of transformation in our Air Force. Consider what is at stake to the nation and what your contributions represent. Stay the course and stay positive--your dedication to mission and excellence will be the difference between victory and defeat.

For more than 15 years, the Air Force has adapted into a smaller, leaner and more capable force, all the while engaged in combat operations.

Just like our organization structure, the way we fight wars is also changing. We must ensure our force is structured to meet a future emerging threat; that means making tough decisions about size, shape, and structure to meet our obligations as a joint, interdependent force.

The capabilities we provide the joint warfighter are in high demand, yet we have the oldest aircraft inventory in our history. The Air Force will continue to invest in advanced capabilities needed to defeat the emerging technological advances of our adversaries.

Part of the challenge with this lighter, leaner force will be balancing the existing demands with those unforeseen challenges in the future. To accomplish this, we are emphasizing smart ops and total force integration.

Total force integration incorporates innovative organizational constructs into a smaller, more capable force structure. The Air Force will leverage increased capability from new technology and capitalize on active-duty, Guard, and Reserve experience.

The total force team is essential in accomplishing our mission and has enabled the Air Force to sustain its critical contribution to our nation's fight in the global war on terror.

We must optimize our force size and skills. We will do this by organizing, training and equipping our Airmen to successfully and effectively conduct missions required by the Combatant Commanders.

Changes of this magnitude will create some degree of uncertainty in the Total Force. However, we believe we can minimize the impact on Airmen by proactively managing the change. We will help those who separate, and will ensure our remaining Airmen have the equipment, support and improved processes to dominate and win in the future.

Today's active duty Airmen, guardsmen, reservists and civilians continue to personify and build on our heritage of courage and innovation. They are firmly grounded in our shared Air Force core values, are highly educated and are extremely resourceful. Thus, we are able to create, operate and maintain the most lethal Air Force that has ever existed. As we shape the force for the future, some Airmen will leave us. The Air Force values the service and sacrifice of all Airmen who volunteer to serve, and separating Airmen is a difficult decision that we do not take lightly. We will continue to honor our commitment to our Airmen by helping them transition to another component of the total force or a new career.

As we move forward, we will continue to recruit and develop the best people. The Air Force is at the forefront of providing exciting and rewarding career opportunities for the youth of America. Transformation initiatives will give Airmen more options and better opportunities for career development and training, an improved standard of living, and the most advanced technological equipment available so they can effectively contribute to the joint fight.