Command chief speaks on deployments, quality of life

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Danny Monahan
  • 5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (ACCNS) --  Deployments are a way of life for all Airmen, but quality-of-life improvements are being made to compensate for the time they spend away from home, according to Air Combat Command’s top enlisted Airman.

Speaking at an Airman Leadership Class graduation here July 29, Chief Master Sgt. Rod Ellison, ACC command chief master sergeant, said training is the key to all deployments.

“Today, Airmen are deploying in places where the threat environment is higher, and we have Airmen who are providing services to, embedded with or escorting the Army on convoys,” said the chief. “Because of that, it’s more important than ever that our Airmen take their training seriously. The type of training we provide them is realistic and prepares them for the combat environment many of them will face.”

According to the former ground radio operator, the Air Force also wants Airmen to have confidence in the equipment they take with them to forward operating locations. That may be something as simple as getting your gas mask fitted, but you should take it seriously. Eventually you may have to use your gas mask and you should have every confidence it will fit right and protect you in a chemical environment.

A combat veteran who earned the Airman’s medal for heroism while saving a life, the chief said self-aid-and-buddy-care training is critical to all Airmen deploying because it may help save someone’s life.

“When you sit through a self-aid-and-buddy-care briefing, you take that in because we’ve
seen in it the AOR, where the training has helped save the life of an injured Airman,” said Chief Ellison.

Two members of the 5th Security Forces Squadron learned the importance of the training earlier this year. While deployed to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, Airman 1st Class Anthony Pizzifred stepped on a land mine. Airman 1st Class Joshua Beach applied a tourniquet to save his life.

The only thing between Airman Pizzifred and death was Airman Beach who understood self aid and buddy care and was able to apply the tourniquet correctly, the chief said.

Because Airmen deploy all over the globe, the ACC command chief said it’s critical all
Airmen understand what’s expected of them as they serve.

“Every Airman needs to know why they entered the Air Force,” he said. “Their goal may have been education, it might have been to travel, and some were just running away from home, but the fact they raised their hand and volunteered to be in service to their nation means they are part of a higher calling.”

The chief explained military service involves great sacrifices.

“Sacrifices extend to your body, and there are the ultimate sacrifices Airmen have been
making in the conflict we find ourselves in,” the chief said. “Every Airman has to understand freedom, and it is not trite saying, ‘freedom is not free.’”

A small reward for that willingness to sacrifice comes from the Air Force’s focus on quality of life issues. The chief said ACC is doing all it can to improve the quality of life at bases like Minot.

ACC Commander Gen. Hal Hornburg “has committed literally millions of dollars to improve the quality of life all across ACC, especially in the area of dorms and fitness centers,” he said. “General Hornburg ... wants every existing fitness center to be brought up to at least a four-out-of-five-star rating, and he has given lots of money through the ACC channels so our Airmen can reach their maximum goals in fitness.”

Turning to other quality-of-life initiatives, the chief said he was amazed at the quality
and attention to detail of Minot’s new housing.

“I took a tour of the new homes that just opened up, and I don’t think I’ve seen anything that comes close to that,” he said. “The next generation of Airmen will be in great hands as far as the quality of life and improvements over those of my generation could have even imagined a few years ago.”

Although quality of life may convince some people to serve, Chief Ellison said the reason Airmen should continue to be proud to serve is because they are the ones defending freedom and protecting America’s way of life every day.

They “keep the country free for the people they love, and preserve our freedom for the next generation of Americans,” he said. “It takes good men and women to stand up and be counted, and because they raised their hands they are part of the five percent of Americans who stand in the breach every day to protect this country from those whom want to destroy our way of life. They are patriots."