COMACC visits Team Al Udeid

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kia Atkins
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar --  Wingmanship, budget concerns, and force management were a few of the topics Gen. Hawk Carlisle, commander of Air Combat Command, discussed with Airmen during his visit here, Nov. 25.

"I know force management caused a lot of turbulence for folks, and for that, I sincerely and truly apologize," Carlisle said. "The good news is that most of the force shaping is done and we expect little in the future. It will still happen inside the margins, but it will be handled mostly through normal attrition and voluntary programs."

Carlisle also offered his perspective on another important issue impacting the force, namely the budget.

"The budget will continue to go down," he said. "All of us, collectively, and certainly the leadership of the Air Force, have to make sure that whatever our budget is, we owe it to the American people to give them the best Air Force we can with the amount of money and resources we have. Today, we have more mission requirements than we do money, manpower, or time; which means, we are going to have to prioritize."

Carlisle briefly spoke about the changes affecting enlisted and officer professional development as well as more difficult subjects such as safety, suicide, and sexual assault.

"We need to have this conversation even though it's difficult," he said. "The fix, the answer to our challenges, are all of us. When you see someone having a problem, you need to reach out to them."

Carlisle wrapped up his all call by thanking Grand Slam Airmen.

"Thank you for the incredible work you do and thank you for stepping up and doing every single thing the Air Force asks you to do and doing it better than anyone else in the world. Take care of yourselves, take care of each other, and we will continue to be the best Air Force in the world."

It was a message he and Chief Master Sgt. Steve McDonald, ACC command chief, also brought to individual Airmen as they visited facilities and met with Airmen.

The general and ACC command chief also each attended luncheons for enlisted personnel and officers where they answered questions ranging from the changing culture of the Air Force and its strategic focus, to budget concerns.

During the visit Carlisle and McDonald also recognized 379th Air Expeditionary Wing's outstanding performers, including Master Sgt. Daryl Bagley, 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, Staff Sgt. Lakeva Parrott, 379th AEW, Tech. Sgt. Thomas Fitzpatrick, 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, Tech. Sgt. Matthew Otteman, 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron and Capt. Sean Finney, 379th Expeditionary Medical Support Squadron.

"Thank you all for what you do," Carlisle said. "Thank you for being great Airmen and for stepping up and making things happen."