JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
“Airpower starts here.”
With those words, Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, commander of Air
Education and Training Command, kicked off his visit Jan. 20 with several
hundred Joint Base San Antonio service members, civilians and contractors at
the Student Activity Center on JBSA-Fort Sam Houston.
The general spent three days – Jan. 20 through Friday –
immersing himself in the vast array of missions and activities the 502nd Air
Base Wing accomplishes at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, JBSA-Randolph and
JBSA-Lackland. He was accompanied by his wife, Cheryl, as well as the new AETC
command chief, Chief Master Sgt. David Staton and his wife, Kimberly.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be commander of AETC,”
Roberson said. “Every one of you plays a vital role in the success of AETC and
I’m here to learn what is important to you.”
After talking about his life in the military and relating
his father was a U.S. Navy senior master chief specializing in avionics, the
general explained AETC’s strategic focus areas.
The first area is motivational mission accomplishment, and
he emphasized building up and inspiring people must be part of how we operate.
“Our mission is to serve and protect our country,” he stated, so it’s vital
that people feel committed and motivated to doing it.
“During times like now – with budget cutbacks,
sequestration, etcetera – we have to stay focused on taking care of our
people,” Roberson said of his second focus area of compassionate care of Airmen
and their families.
His third area is innovation. “Innovation is the key in our
ability to adapt and stay ahead of our enemy,” he said. “Innovation comes from
you. Change can be hard at times, but change is a constant.”
Leadership is the general’s final focus area. “Leadership is
the most important thing we have to pay attention to. We have to have strong
leadership from an Airman’s first supervisor level all the way to the top of
the chain of command.”
Roberson transitioned into describing his own leadership
philosophy. “What it comes down to for me are the three Cs … competence, care
and character.”
In regards to competence, he said, “Lead from the front and
lead by example. Leave no doubt for the people you lead that you know what
you’re talking about. Make the effort to become competent in whatever position
you may find yourself in.
“If you’re going to lead, your people must know that you
care about them,” Roberson said. “It takes active mentoring and really getting
to know and caring about your people and their families.”
The general then stressed the importance of integrity and
character and how all three Cs come together to equal trust.
Roberson also discussed some of the “big picture” concerns
facing the Air Force and AETC.
Talking about threats posed by fighters with the Islamic
State of Syria and Iraq, he said, “We take ISIS fighters off the battlefield
routinely. We’re using airpower to help Iraq and others defeat this ISIS
threat.
Touching on the new T-X jet trainer that will replace the
T-38 Talon as the primary trainer for Air Force undergraduate pilot training,
Roberson said, “This is the next-generation trainer for the fighter and bomber
pilots of tomorrow, so we need to get it right.”
In talking about remotely piloted aircraft, he pointed out
the differences between RPAs and drones. “RPAs always have a pilot. These
pilots are becoming increasingly important to the Air Force. In fact, as of
this year, we now have more RPA pilots in the Air Force than any other kind.”
Wrapping up his “big picture concerns,” Roberson turned to a
somber subject: suicides and sexual assaults. “Until we get to zero in these
two areas, we have a lot of work to do. Just know there are many people ready
to work with you on these issues. Be that wingman who reaches out and says and
does something to take care of your fellow wingman.”
After taking a few questions from the audience, Roberson
wrapped up by lauding the commitment and achievements of JBSA, the largest
joint base in the Department of Defense.
“I could not be more genuine when I say I am so appreciative
of what all of you do every day at JBSA,” the general said. “You are setting
the standard in so many ways for the rest of the DOD.”