COMACC addresses "People First" at four-star forum

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher
  • ACC Public Affairs
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (ACCNS) --  Gen. John D. W. Corley, Air Combat Command commander, shared his insights on "People First" as the preeminent priority in Air Combat Command during a question and answer forum at the Air Force Association Air and Space Conference in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17. 

The forum was an opportunity for Air Force commanders to answer questions from audience members and discuss topics ranging from recapitalizing the fleet to the importance of the Air Force component of the newly established U.S. Africa Command. 

The Air Force's top leaders were each asked to respond to a question about where they would spend "one more dollar" of budget. In answer, General Corley said the ACC priority is "People First, Mission Always." Said General Corley: "The most valuable weapon is our Airmen - that's where my money goes." 

ACC's top officer also linked the value placed on people directly to mission accomplishment.

 "They're not looking for praise, glory and accolades," he said, describing ACC Airmen. "But they are looking for value -- value in them as human beings. And to do that you have to put value in the mission. When the nation, at the leadership level and every American's level, places value in the mission, they'll put value in the people, and that's what I find are important to Airmen in the world I live in." 

During the forum, General Corley also addressed the fighter gap and its effect on Airmen fighting a war with aging equipment.

 "It's not just a gap created by older airplanes that are wearing out, it's a gap created by a loss of capability to continue to deliver on the air dominance that helps to defend the joint force and this nation," General Corley said. "It breaks a bit of faith with our Airmen. What frustrates Airmen, in my mind, oftentimes is the absence of the tools to perform the mission they've been assigned." 

The COMACC was met with applause when he said it was important to address the fighter gap quickly. "The first thing is -- get on with it," he said. "Get on with recapitalization, and when you get on with recapitalization, do it smart. This is not the time for us to be buying fewer aircraft in a year than we used to procure in a month in the United States Air Force. That's what's driving this gap. Get on with it. The gap is real, the capability is real,and we owe it to our Airmen."