New ACC commander offers his 'VECTOR'

  • Published
  • By Air Combat Command Public Affairs
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (ACCNS) --  When Gen. John D.W. Corley assumed the reins of Air Combat Command Oct. 2, he answered a question he knew Airmen across the command would want to know: "What does he want me to do?"

General Corley said it's a "simple template" that starts with one word: VECTOR.

Directly addressing ACC Airmen standing in formation at the change of command ceremony and, through them, indirectly all Airman across ACC, the general explained his vector -- the direction or course he would like ACC Airmen to pursue in navigating the ACC mission.

"Vision - The cliché goes that any path will do if you don't know where you're going. We can't stand that and that isn't true for Airmen of Air Combat Command. You see, Airmen have always had a unique vantage point. They operate in and they dominate the high ground. They're not constrained by the next mountain range or shore line. Great captains like Arnold and Spaatz and Mitchell, they had that vision and so does (Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force chief of staff.) Our ACC vision leads us to an unlimited horizon.

"Executing the mission - That's what's important. This is where ACC in its most prized possession - you - really shines. All of the Airmen in every (Air Force Specialty Code) and every squadron across this entire command are critical to executing the mission. It's about dominating air, space and cyberspace. It's about defending this great nation.

"Core values - This nation deserves Airmen that are committed to integrity, service and excellence. I recommend you use it as a moral compass. During my tenure as the (Air Force vice chief of staff) I kept one painting out of the collection. It was at Billy Mitchell's court martial. Why? It was to remind me of conviction to value and commitment to a set of ideals and beliefs no matter what the personal cost.

"Team - We are Airmen. We're part of an interdependent and co-equal joint team. ACC is heavily committed to the fight against terrorism and extremism. To succeed we must continue to foster that teamwork in every work space and do so in partnership with our joint brothers and sisters. To do anything less will endanger not only the fight tonight but the future fight.

"Organization - Global vigilance, power, reach ... these are organizing constructs and they provide the fundamentals of what an Air Force does for its nation. Survey the entire planet, range the globe, hold any target at risk, command and control activities and dominate our domains.

"Respect - You know in my life I've discovered whether it's personal to professional or to international, relationships are key. But what forms lifelong viable relationships is trust and respect. Foster mutual respect always. That will help us achieve ACC's goal.

During his remarks, General Corley said ACC will be organized, trained and equipped to provide combat power the nation needs. As the nation's "strategic sword and shield," Gen. Corley said ACC was on the front lines of America's security -- "today and everyday."

Although he noted the command's challenges are huge, he also told ACC Airmen that they will succeed with the excellence that is synonymous with the Air Force's largest major command.

"So you ask me where are we going?" General Corley asked. "Maintain an Airman's vision. Execute your mission. Hold true to your core values. Rally around your team. Build on the Air Force organization. And foster respect. Vision, Execution, Core Values, Team, Organization, Respect -- you put (them) together, that's your vector."