AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar -- Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass, visited Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, March 22, 2022.
Bass, the 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, engaged with service members about current events, answered questions, and expressed the importance of their role in maintaining readiness across Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central)’s area of responsibility.
“You need to know where we stand from a threat perspective and why wearing our nation’s uniform matters so much,” said Bass. “You need to know that we have near-peer competitors who are seeking to challenge us in a strategic competition.”
Bass continued.
“There’s not a day we are not focused on that strategic competition,” Bass added. “We have to accelerate change or we stand the chance of losing – and that isn’t an option. To succeed, we have to be strong in all domains: air, land, sea, space, cyber and information.”
In addition to the strategic direction of the Air Force, Bass also spoke about improvements and changes to current Air Force policies and programs.
“What is important to you and your families, is important to us,” Bass said. “We are already thinking about how to tackle these things in the long game, and how we evolve to where we need to be to make sure we are taking care of Airmen and families.”
During her visit, she toured the Combined Air Operations Center, engaged with joint forces, attended a demonstration on a new program developed by the installation’s expeditionary security forces squadron, and hosted an all-call for service members.
“It was a great opportunity for service members to voice concerns and get a glimpse of what leadership in the Air Force is discussing,” said Capt. Alexa Berstler, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program manager. “She talked about our role as Airmen, how we need to be postured for change, and how cyber and intelligence career fields are key to staying ahead of our adversaries.”
Before ending her all-call, Bass expressed words of encouragement and personally showed gratitude to everyone in attendance.
“Thanks for being part of the one percent who serves and wears this uniform,” she said. “Thanks for the sacrifices you, and your families, make every single day, for the security and freedom of our nation.”
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