Nellis showcases capabilities to CMSAF

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Charles
  • Nellis Public Affairs Office
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --  Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy visited Nellis Jan. 20 through 23 for the first time since becoming the 16th chief master sergeant of the Air Force.

During his trip to the Las Vegas area, Chief Roy witnessed firsthand the capabilities of Airmen at Nellis and Creech and how they are able to have a direct impact on the objectives of accomplishing Air Force priorities.

Chief Roy spoke to Nellis and Creech Airmen about how the jobs they do every day at Nellis help meet Air Force priorities.

"We, as an Air Force by design, are forward-looking," Chief Roy said. "We are always looking for ways to better fulfill the mission and objectives placed before us."

One of the first stops on Chief Roy's tour of Nellis was the airman leadership school. While at ALS, he took a tour of the facility and talked to ALS class 10-B about moving into the next step of their career. Chief Roy stressed the importance of developing the Airmen that will be placed under them as they step into their supervisorial role.

Chief Roy explained his belief that the three things that develop Airmen are training, education and experiences.

He said on-the-job training in an important step in preparing Airmen to excel in their career field. He encouraged the future staff sergeants in the class to properly train Airmen and become responsible as supervisors. He also talked about the education opportunities that would be open to them and how every task they accomplish helps make them a more well-rounded Airman.

"One of the most important jobs of the Air Force is the training of our future leaders of the Air Force," Chief Roy said.

Chief Roy also visited the Samek Airman Center, where the he was escorted by Nellis' Airmen Committed to Excellence Council members. The ACE council is a private organization that provides a forum for junior Airmen to voice quality of life issues, ideas, problems and suggestions through the proper chain of command.

Chief Roy recognized Airman 1st Class Rachael Crepeau, 99th Force Support Squadron personnel specialist, for her contribution to the Airman Against Drunk Driving program.

"I was surprised to be recognized by Chief Roy," Airman Crepeau said. "At AADD, we just try to make sure that our fellow wingmen can have fun and have a reliable source to fall back on. I am just one of the many people that make this program successful, and having leadership as high as Chief Roy recognize the importance of having such a program makes it worthwhile."

Airman Kyle Leger later briefed Chief Roy at the 98th Range Wing on the Nevada Test and Training Range and its importance to the priority of partnering with joint and coalition teams. The Nevada Test and Training range is 2.9 million acres of land dedicated to Air Force, joint and coalition training exercises.

"Partnering with our fellow services and allied militaries is one of the most important steps in being successful in our overseas contingency operations," Chief Roy said. "Giving our Airmen the training necessary to adapt to the obstacles in communication that may be associated with working with a different service or an allied nation helps us better accomplish any mission, in an urban or open environment. With the experience that the NTTR provides, we are giving our Airmen the tools they need to succeed."

Later in the day, Chief Roy was able to have lunch at the Nellis Mountain View Dinning Facility with 15 noncommissioned officers. At the lunch, he discussed everything from the new deployment tempo in joint conditions to the issues affecting Air Force families. He also discussed the role of the senior noncommissioned officer and the importance of watching a fellow wingman.

"The role of a supervisor doesn't end after duty hours," Chief Roy said. "It is important to make sure you take care of the Airmen under you."

While in the Las Vegas area, the senior enlisted member of the Air Force also witnessed two of the newest aircraft in the Air Force arsenal: the F-22 Raptor and the MQ-9 Reaper. These aircraft show how the Air Force is modernizing its inventory to meet the needs of today's world.

After touring the Raptor Air Maintenance Unit hangar, Chief Roy attended an enlisted all-hands call at the Nellis base theater. During this all-hands call, the chief master sergeant of the Air Force was able to answer questions and concerns of Nellis Airmen and discuss the future of the Air Force.

Chief Roy concluded his trip on Nellis as the guest speaker at the 57th Wing annual awards banquet.